Rare Last Names That Start With X You Should Know

The letter X is strange. It hides at the end of the alphabet. It barely shows up in most names. That is why last names that start with X feel so rare. You might know one or two. Xu. Xavier. Maybe Xie. But most people cannot name a third.

I once worked with a man named Xu at a small design studio. He told me his name means “brilliant” in Chinese. I thought that was a perfect fit.

He was one of the sharpest people I knew. X surnames come from many places. China has the most. Greece, Spain, and parts of Africa have their own too. Each one carries a small piece of history.

This guide gives you a full list. You will find common names. You will find rare ones too. By the end, you may find a name you have never heard before.

Last Names That Start With X

Let’s start with the basics. This table mixes names from many cultures. You will see Chinese names. You will see Spanish, Greek, and African names too.

These are the most searched X last names online. Many people use this list to start their own family research.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin
Xu	Brilliant, open	Chinese
Xie	Grateful, thanks	Chinese
Xiao	Little, dawn	Chinese
Xing	Star, prosperous	Chinese
Xia	Summer, glow	Chinese
Xun	Fast, swift	Chinese
Xue	Snow, study	Chinese
Xiang	Fragrant, lucky	Chinese
Xiong	Bear, brave	Chinese
Xenos	Stranger, guest	Greek
Ximenes	Son of Simon	Spanish
Ximenez	Heard by God	Spanish
Ximinez	Divine listener	Spanish
Xiques	Small, humble	Spanish
Xirau	Wise leader	Catalan
Xoubi	Noble, kind	Arabic
Xola	Stay in peace	African
Xolani	Peace bringer	Zulu
Xulu	Sky, heaven	Zulu
Xaba	Strong warrior	Zulu
Xhosa	Group of people	African
Xerri	Rock, stone	Maltese
Xerra	Earth, land	Maltese
Xuereb	Deserter, brave	Maltese
Xerxes	Hero, king	Persian
Xanthos	Yellow, golden	Greek
Xanthis	Bright, fair	Greek
Xylas	Wood, forest	Greek
Xaviera	Bright, new house	French
Xavier	Bright, splendid	Basque
Xander	Defender of people	Greek
Xun Zi	Fast, swift scholar	Chinese
Xifra	River bend	Catalan
Xisto	Sixth born	Portuguese
Xenophon	Foreign voice	Greek

Celebrities With Last Names That Start With X

Some people with X last names became famous. You may know their work in sports, science, music, or film. Learning about real people can help a rare name feel less strange. It gives the name a face.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin
Xavier	Bright, new house	Basque
Xernandez	Bright place	Spanish
Xerxes	Hero among kings	Persian
Xingfang	Grateful, thanks	Chinese
Xu Beihong	Brilliant, open	Chinese
Xiao Zhan	Little, dawn	Chinese
Xiang Yu	Fragrant, lucky	Chinese
Xinran	Snow, study	Chinese
Xiong Shili	Bear, brave	Chinese
Xing Fang	Star, prosperous	Chinese
Xia Peisu	Summer, glow	Chinese
Xun Zi	Fast, swift	Chinese
Ximenes	Son of Simon	Spanish
Ximenez	Heard by God	Spanish
Xenos	Stranger, guest	Greek
Xanthopoulos	Son of Xanthos	Greek
Xanthos	Yellow, golden	Greek
Xanthis	Bright, fair	Greek
Xylas	Wood, forest	Greek
Xolani	Peace bringer	Zulu
Xulu	Sky, heaven	Zulu
Xaba	Strong warrior	Zulu
Xola	Stay in peace	African
Xerri	Rock, stone	Maltese
Xuereb	Deserter, brave	Maltese
Xirau	Wise leader	Catalan
Xiques	Small, humble	Spanish
Xoubi	Noble, kind	Arabic
Xaviera	Bright, new house	French
Xhosa	Group of people	African
Xydis	Foreigner	Greek
Xander	Defender of people	Greek
Xenidis	Son of a stranger	Greek
Xifaras	Sword bearer	Greek
Xiberras	Mountain dweller	Maltese

Chinese Family Names Starting With X

Chinese surnames with X are old and full of meaning. Many describe nature. Others describe virtue and family pride.

A teacher once told me the name Xue, which means “snow,” is often given to babies born in winter. Small stories like that make Chinese naming traditions feel personal.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin
Xu	Brilliant, open	Chinese
Xie	Grateful, thanks	Chinese
Xiao	Little, dawn	Chinese
Xing	Star, prosperous	Chinese
Xia	Summer, glow	Chinese
Xun	Fast, swift	Chinese
Xue	Snow, study	Chinese
Xiang	Fragrant, lucky	Chinese
Xiong	Bear, brave	Chinese
Xin	New, fresh	Chinese
Xiu	Elegant, grace	Chinese
Xian	Wise, noble	Chinese
Xingjian	Strong journey	Chinese
Xiaoping	Little peace	Chinese
Xiaoming	Bright morning	Chinese
Xiaolong	Little dragon	Chinese
Xiaofeng	Little phoenix	Chinese
Xiaohui	Little wisdom	Chinese
Xiaoyan	Little swallow	Chinese
Xiaojun	Little army	Chinese
Xiaoli	Little strength	Chinese
Xiaolei	Little thunder	Chinese
Xianfeng	Noble phoenix	Chinese
Xiangli	Fragrant pear	Chinese
Xiangyu	Fragrant jade	Chinese
Xiangming	Bright fragrance	Chinese
Xiongjun	Brave army	Chinese
Xuefeng	Snow phoenix	Chinese
Xuehua	Snow flower	Chinese
Xuemei	Snow plum	Chinese
Xinyu	New rain	Chinese
Xinyi	New meaning	Chinese
Xiaodong	Little east	Chinese
Xiaotian	Little sky	Chinese
Xiuying	Elegant flower	Chinese

American Last Names That Start With X

Many American surnames with X came from families who moved from China, Spain, Greece, and beyond. Over time, these names became part of everyday American life.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin
Xavier	Bright, new house	Basque
Xander	Defender of people	Greek
Xanthos	Yellow, golden	Greek
Xanthis	Bright, fair	Greek
Xenos	Stranger, guest	Greek
Ximenes	Son of Simon	Spanish
Ximenez	Heard by God	Spanish
Ximinez	Divine listener	Spanish
Xiques	Small, humble	Spanish
Xaviera	Bright, new house	French
Xyla	Wood, forest	Greek
Xylas	Wood, forest	Greek
Xu	Brilliant, open	Chinese
Xie	Grateful, thanks	Chinese
Xiao	Little, dawn	Chinese
Xing	Star, prosperous	Chinese
Xia	Summer, glow	Chinese
Xue	Snow, study	Chinese
Xiang	Fragrant, lucky	Chinese
Xiong	Bear, brave	Chinese
Xun	Fast, swift	Chinese
Xola	Stay in peace	African
Xolani	Peace bringer	Zulu
Xulu	Sky, heaven	Zulu
Xaba	Strong warrior	Zulu
Xerri	Rock, stone	Maltese
Xuereb	Deserter, brave	Maltese
Xerxes	Hero, king	Persian
Xirau	Wise leader	Catalan
Xoubi	Noble, kind	Arabic
Xhosa	Group of people	African
Ximon	Son of Simon	Spanish
Xagoraris	Strong leader	Greek
Xochitl	Flower	Aztec
Xicay	Old noble family	Mayan

Rare And Unusua lLast Names That Start With X

These unique X surnames are almost never seen. Each one has its own small story. Some are old. Some feel brand new.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin
Xabier	New house, bright	Basque
Xabregas	Noble land	Portuguese
Xacopini	Free spirit	Italian
Xadani	Gift of God	African
Xagoraris	Strong leader	Greek
Xainho	Brave heart	Galician
Xaiver	Bright place	Spanish
Xalvador	Savior, protector	Catalan
Xambre	Earth, soil	Portuguese
Xampeny	From Champagne	Catalan
Xandri	Defender of men	Catalan
Xanno	God is gracious	German
Xanto	Golden, yellow	Greek
Xapelli	Little hat maker	Italian
Xara	Bright flower	Arabic
Xarcas	Stone worker	Maltese
Xarles	Free man	Basque
Xarpell	Sharp mind	Catalan
Xastre	Tailor, maker	Catalan
Xativa	Ancient city root	Spanish
Xaubet	Noble fighter	Catalan
Xaviell	Bright new world	French
Xeco	God will add	Catalan
Xelbert	Bright noble	Flemish
Xemena	Heard by God	Basque
Xenakis	Son of a stranger	Greek
Xendri	Bold defender	African
Xenofon	Foreign voice	Greek
Xerach	Sacred, holy	Guanche
Xercavins	From the oak valley	Catalan
Xatart	Small settlement	Catalan
Xemeneia	Chimney keeper	Catalan
Xilas	Wood, timber	Greek
Xilinas	Wooden house	Greek
Xerardo	Brave with a spear	Galician

Greek Last Names That Start With X

Greek names with X often sound bold and strong. Many come from old words for light, gold, or nature. I once met a Greek exchange student named Xanthos.

He laughed and said his name means “golden.” His hair was bright blond too. The meaning fit him perfectly.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin
Xanthos	Yellow, golden	Greek
Xanthis	Bright, fair	Greek
Xanthopoulos	Son of Xanthos	Greek
Xenos	Stranger, guest	Greek
Xenakis	Son of a stranger	Greek
Xenidis	Son of a stranger	Greek
Xenofon	Foreign voice	Greek
Xenophon	Foreign voice	Greek
Xylas	Wood, forest	Greek
Xyla	Wood, forest	Greek
Xilinas	Wooden house	Greek
Xanto	Golden, yellow	Greek
Xagoraris	Strong leader	Greek
Xydis	Foreigner	Greek
Xifaras	Sword bearer	Greek
Xander	Defender of people	Greek
Xanthoulis	Little golden one	Greek
Xydakis	Small foreigner	Greek
Xirogiannis	Dry, strong John	Greek
Xanthaki	Little golden girl	Greek
Xydas	Strange, foreign one	Greek
Xenopoulos	Son of the stranger	Greek
Xouris	Sharp thinker	Greek
Xystris	Tool maker	Greek
Xystos	Polished, smooth	Greek
Xatzis	Pilgrim	Greek
Xatzimichalis	Pilgrim Michael	Greek
Xatzoglou	Son of the pilgrim	Greek
Xourafas	Sharp edge	Greek
Xarhakos	Woodcutter	Greek
Xarhas	Man from the highlands	Greek
Xerakias	Dry land dweller	Greek
Xilouris	Wood carrier	Greek
Xifos	Sword	Greek
Xatzidakis	Little pilgrim	Greek

African Family Last Names That Start With X

African surnames with X mostly come from Zulu and Xhosa language groups. Many are tied to peace, strength, or family pride.

Last Name	Meaning	Origin
Xolani	Peace bringer	Zulu
Xulu	Sky, heaven	Zulu
Xaba	Strong warrior	Zulu
Xola	Stay in peace	African
Xhosa	Group of people	African
Xakathi	Family of peace	Zulu
Xego	Small, humble one	Zulu
Xolile	One who is calm	Zulu
Xolisile	Bringer of comfort	Zulu
Xaso	Proud family name	African
Xotyeni	Village elder	Xhosa
Xam	Old desert people name	African
Xesibe	Clan of the south	Xhosa
Xhalanga	Wide open land	Xhosa
Xhamela	Place of gathering	Xhosa
Xhego	Wise old man	Xhosa
Xhoma	Family of trust	African
Xhosana	Small Xhosa family	African
Xininda	Family of song	African
Xolindaba	Story of peace	African
Xotywa	Strong young man	Xhosa
Xaluva	Proud lineage	African
Xabanisa	Keeper of order	African
Xamlashe	Family of light	African
Xengani	Patient one	African
Xesha	Time keeper	African
Xhinti	Quick thinker	Xhosa
Xholani	Bringer of calm	Zulu
Xhwaphi	Friendly one	Xhosa
Xoli	Peaceful heart	Zulu
Xotani	Watchful guardian	African
Xuma	Deep thinker	African
Xungu	Strong tree	African
Xuza	Family of harvest	African
Xwili	Song of the family	African

Conclusion

Last names that start with X are some of the rarest in the world. Chinese X names bring beauty and virtue. Greek names bring gold and strength. African names bring peace and pride. Even rare Catalan and Maltese names add their own charm.

Every name here holds a small piece of family heritage. Some point to a place. Some point to a job. Some simply carry good wishes passed down through time.

Whether you are building a family tree, writing a story, or just curious about rare letters, this list gives you plenty to explore.

FAQs

What are last names that start with X?

These are rare surnames beginning with the letter X. They come from cultures like Chinese, Spanish, Greek, and African.

Why are X last names so rare?

The letter X is rare in most languages. This makes X surnames far less common than other letters.

What is the most common last name starting with X?

Xu and Xie are the most common. Both are widely used Chinese surnames.

Where do X last names come from?

Most come from China, Spain, Greece, Africa, and Malta.

Can X last names be used as first names?

Yes. Names like Xavier and Xander are often used as first names too.

Are X surnames hard to trace in family records?

Not always. Since they are rare, they can actually be easier to search and track.

Read More Topics on Name Blommer