X-Trordinary

Xander is a diminutive of Alexander, the Latin variation of the Greek Alexandros. Its meaning, "defending men," is taken from the Greek roots aléxein, "to defend," and andros, "men." Zander, pronounced the same way, is an alternate spelling.

The initial X is pronounced like a Z. Confusing? Potentially. But there are enough Alexandras and Xanders through the Western World these days that this spelling wouldn't seem outlandish.

X marks the spot in names these days, usually at the middles or ends of names, but here is one that puts it squarely up front.

Xanthia gets this classic Greek name closer to the modern Cynthia, sometimes used as its Anglo equivalent.

Famous as the long-suffering wife of the philosopher Socrates.

This alternate name for Apollo has a noble sound and can always be shortened to Xan.

Xavier originated is use as a given name after Saint Francis Xavier, cofounder of the Jesuit order, who got his name from the Spanish-Basque village where he was born. His birthplace was Javier, the name of which was derived from the Basque place name Etxeberria, meaning "castle" or "new house."

Xaviera is one of the most intriguing and rarest female forms of a male name. Only a handful of baby girls are named Xaviera in the US each year, compared with nearly 3500 baby boys named Xavier.

Still projects the potent allure of television's warrior princess.

As long as nobody connects it with xenophobia -- the fear of strangers and the unknown.

This name of an ancient Greek historian sounds too long-ago and faraway to consider for a modern child.

One of the more accessible X names, though Xeno or Zeno might sound more modern.

The longer form of Xia is more rhythmic but also more problematic.

Ximen is not, as many think, the Spanish variation of Simon. It is derived from the medieval Basque name Semen (emphasis on the second syllable, but still completely unusable in the English-speaking world). It eventually gave way to many familiar Spanish names of today, including Jimeno and Ximena.