UK name, mostly girls
Xi
A Chinese unisex given name meaning "prosperous journey" or "fortunate".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 19 boys.
Xi is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Xi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3609, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 6 births.
This profile covers 40 England and Wales registrations across 9 recorded years from 2007 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 40 living people in the UK are called Xi. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Xi ranked #3609 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 6 girls were registered as Xi.
- • Xi is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 40 living people in the UK are estimated to have Xi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 67.8% of Xi registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3609
2016
Births in 2016
6
Latest year
Peak year
2008
6 births
Estimated living
40
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Xi
In England and Wales birth records, Xi has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 32.2% of registrations are for boys and 67.8% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Xi registered for boys
- Ranked #3,865 in 2010
- 4 boys registered in 2010
- Peak: 2007 (6 births)
Xi registered for girls
- Ranked #3,609 in 2016
- 6 girls registered in 2016
- Peak: 2008 (6 births)
Meaning
What does Xi mean?
The given name Xi has its origins in ancient Chinese culture and language, dating back to the earliest known records of Chinese civilization. It is a romanized spelling of the Chinese character 希, which carries the meaning of "hope" or "expectation."
In ancient Chinese philosophy and literature, the character 希 is found in influential texts such as the Analects of Confucius and the Tao Te Ching, signifying the importance of hope and aspiration in the pursuit of virtue and enlightenment. The name Xi was likely bestowed upon individuals with the wish for them to embody these ideals.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Xi was Xi Kang, a prominent Daoist philosopher and writer who lived from 223 to 262 CE during the Three Kingdoms period in China. His works, such as the "Xian Xing Lun" (Discourse on Embracing the Qi), explored the concept of embracing the natural order and cultivating inner peace.
In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), a renowned Buddhist monk named Xi Zhi (629-727 CE) gained recognition for his contributions to the translation and dissemination of Buddhist teachings in China. He is celebrated for his influential role in the development of Chinese Buddhism.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE), Xi Shengmo (1546-1618) was a prominent scholar and official who made significant contributions to the study of classical Chinese literature and philosophy. His commentaries and annotations on ancient texts are still widely studied and respected today.
In more recent history, Xi Zhongxun (1913-2002) was a prominent Chinese revolutionary and statesman who played a key role in the establishment of the People's Republic of China. He served as a vice premier and was known for his work in promoting economic reforms and modernization.
Another notable figure was Xi Wuzhou (1616-1670), a renowned Chinese landscape painter of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. His works, known for their intricate brushwork and mastery of ink wash techniques, are celebrated as masterpieces of Chinese art.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Xi, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and significance in Chinese tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Xi over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Xi in England and Wales, from 2007 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Xi, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2016, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Xi by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Xi was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4791 | 25 | 6 |
| 2000s | #3876 | 15 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Xi
- Xanthe 1,238
- Xena 378
- Xenia 309
- Xin 285
- Xara 107
- Xyla 91
- Xia 51
- Xiao 45
- Xinyi 28
- Xue 27
- Xylia 24
- Xiomara 23
FAQ
Xi: questions and answers
How popular is the name Xi in the UK right now?
In 2016, Xi was ranked #3609 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Xi most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 6 babies registered as Xi in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Xi?
A Chinese unisex given name meaning "prosperous journey" or "fortunate".
How many people are called Xi in the UK?
A total of 40 babies have been registered as Xi across the 9 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.