Xander

Xander is a short form of Alexander, itself derived from the ancient Greek name Alexandros, composed of the elements alexein, meaning to defend, and aner, meaning man, together conveying the sense of defender of men. It originated as a Dutch contracted form before spreading into broader English usage, where it gained popularity as an independent given name in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. The name Alexander was borne by Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king whose conquests spread Greek culture across much of the ancient world. Related forms include Zander, Sander, and the full name Alexander, as well as feminine variants such as Alexandra and Alexia.