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Xanthus

ZAN-thus /ˈzænθəs/

At a glance

In short
Xanthus is a rare and distinctive Greek name meaning "golden-haired," with strong associations to bravery and beauty. An intriguing choice for baby boys.
U.S. rank 2025
Not in the 2025 data · last seen 2013 (#12,136)
Babies in 2013
5 (<0.01% of boys)
Peak
#9,948 in 2004
First recorded
2004

Meaning of Xanthus

Xanthus is a unique and strong name of Greek origin, meaning "golden-haired." In Greek mythology, Xanthus was the name of a river god and also the name of one of Achilles' horses. The name has a rich history and carries associations with bravery and beauty. Xanthus is a rare and distinctive choice for parents looking for a name that stands out. The American pronunciation of Xanthus is ZAN-thus (/ˈzænθəs/), and it ranks among the less common names for baby boys in the United States, making it an intriguing option for those seeking something uncommon yet meaningful. Additionally, the variation Xanthe offers an equally appealing option for those who prefer a slightly different twist on this ancient name.

How to pronounce Xanthus

Popularity of Xanthus in the U.S.

Xanthus was last recorded in the U.S. in 2013, ranked #12,136 with 5 babies. It peaked at #9,948 in 2004. It first appears in the records in 2004.

Bar and line chart: Xanthus in the U.S., 2004–2013. Bars: boys given the name each year, most 6 in 2004 and 5 in 2013. Line: rank among boy names, peak #9,948 in 2004, #12,136 in 2013.
  • Boys named Xanthus (left scale)
  • Rank among U.S. boy names (right scale, #1 at the top)
By year, 2004–2013. Source: SSA. Download: PNG · SVG
Year-by-year table, 2004⁠–⁠2013 2 rows
YearBabiesRankvs previous year
2013512,136back
200469,948new

Notable people named Xanthus

  • Xanthus Russell Smith was an American marine painter known for his Civil War illustrations.