Javier (name)

Javier (pronounced [xäˈβjeɾ, χäˈβ˕eɾ, häˈβjeɾ, xäˈbje̞, häˈbje̞, ha̟ˈβ˕jɛ]) is the Spanish spelling of the masculine name Xavier. The name derives from the Catholic saint called Francis de Xavier, where Xavier refers to the saint's birthplace. This birthplace name, in turn, has Basque roots, etymologically originating in the word etxaberri (etxe berri in standard spelling), meaning "castle" or "new house". The original place name went through a Romance phonetic change in Navarro-Aragonese, a Romance language spoken in the neighbouring Romanzado (cf. Leire) from the Early Middle Ages. Like examples can be found in Irunberri > Lumbier, Erronkari > Roncal. It was later borrowed by Castilian. Other variations of this name include Xaverius, Xever, Javiero, and Saverio. The feminine names Javiera, Saveria, Zaviera, and Saverina are less common. Etxeberria, Echeverría, Echevarría, Etxebarri, and Chávarri are Basque surnames related to the name by etymology. Its diffusion is due to the fame of Jesuit priest and missionary Saint Francis Xavier (Spanish: San Francisco Javier). When he was canonized, places and people were named after him, which popularized the name. Contemporary use of the name Javier is found in Spain, Equatorial Guinea and Ibero American countries, where it is popular.