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Origin of the name Xavier
by Alleycat (guest)
12/17/2002, 5:44 PM
Could anyone tell me where I could find some finality about the origin of the name Xavier. Several sites on the internet say it is Arabian in origin. This is the first site I have come across that claims the name is Spanish (Basque).Thanx in advance.A.
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- Brett (guest)
7/26/2004, 9:45 AM
The claim fo Arabic origin of the name XAVIER comes from the similarity of the Arabic name JAFFAR or JAFAR, which means brook or little stream. In Italian, the name XAVIER is rendered SAVERIO. In Spanish the name is rendered Javier (Khavier). I'm not sure this answers any questions, but gives more info on the topic. Let me know if anyone else has more info on this.Thanks,-Brett
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- Pavlos (guest)   +4
12/18/2002, 1:49 AM
Check out Xavier :)
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- Alleycat (guest)   +3
12/18/2002, 5:38 PM
Hi Pavlos - thanx for the reply. The problem is that I did do that and that is why I asked the question in the first place! I wonder if the name is some derivative from a Moor name?Regards,A.
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- Phyllis (guest)   +2
12/19/2002, 9:14 PM
The Spanish were once under the dominion of the Moors (think el Cid, King Ferdinand, and Queen Isabella), and (as somebody who has read quite a bit of history from as many perspectives as possible in as many different "situations" as possible) there could have been some "borrowing" from both sides of the coin concerning Xavier. It might have come from a Moorish name, but, then again, not necessarily.By the way, Basque is one of the few languages still in existance that has "remained" almost "pure" since ancient Roman times (according to a couple of sources I have. :rolleyes:.) I'm still looking into that claim.Phyllis (aka Sidhe Uaine or Gaia Euphoria)
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- Brett Zwolinski (guest)
7/26/2004, 9:41 AM
The claim fo Arabic origin of the name XAVIER comes from the similarity of the Arabic name JAFFAR or JAFAR, which means brook or little stream. In Italian, the name XAVIER is rendered SAVERIO. In Spanish the name is rendered Javier (Khavier). I'm not sure this answers any questions, but gives more info on the topic. Let me know if anyone else has more info on this.Thanks,-Brett
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- Alleycat (guest)
12/28/2002, 8:02 PM
Thank you for your reply. Apologies for the delay in mine!
It is still unclear to me as to why so many believe the name to be Arabian in origin.
Also, it is interesting that you mention that there could be borrowing from both sides (Spanish/Basque & Moor) are there any other instances specifically where the Moors might have borrowed European names?Regards,Alleycat.
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