See the results of this poll: Which pronunciation of Xavier do you prefer?
Respondents: 54 (This poll is closed)
- ZAY-vee-ər : 40 (74%)
- ehk-ZAY-vee-ər: 14 (26%)
I always read ZAV-ee-ay. Like the [name_m]French[/name_m], but with the stress on the first syllable. I don’t know anyone called [name_m]Xavier[/name_m], though. I’ve only actually heard it in [name_m]French[/name_m] so I suppose I’m just ‘anglicising’ that pronunciation. ZAY-vee-ər out of the two you mentioned. Ehk-ZAY-vee-ər sounds stupid to me, like people don’t know that initial x is pronounced z. We don’t say ehk-ZY-lə-fone or ehk-[name_u]ZEN[/name_u]-ə-fobe, that’s the sort of mistake I’d expect a child to make. Pronouncing the x in [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] as literally the letter x sounds like a mistake as well imo.
Either way, the fact that people are in general so unsure of how to say this one (I predict in the general population you’d get about a 50/50 result on your poll, although here probably ZAY-vee-ər will win), and there seem to be vehement camps for every possible alternative, means that I would never ever consider it as a first name. Whichever you pick the kid’s looking at a lifetime of corrections.
In the states the name is pronounced either way. I do not concern myself with people pronouncing and spelling names wrong. I have a short name, known, spelled correctly and everyone spells it incorrectly…and usually some crazy spelling. People will find ways to make every name seem hard to pronounce or spell. What matters is that the important people in our lives know how to spell and pronounce our names. Who cares if the guy at Starbucks gives you a cup with the wrong spelling and/or mispronounces your name.
BTW, I prefer ZAY-vee-ər. I know man with both pronunciations.
I know 2 little boys named [name_m]Xavier[/name_m], both pronounced Zay-vee-er (which I like the best) .
I only like ZAY-vee-er of the two English pronunciations. I’ve known several Xaviers, and they’ve all had the Ex pronunciation. It’s too popular in my area for ZAY-vee-er to really catch on very easily.
Of those 2, definitely ZAY-vee-er. I will never understand why people pronounce it Ehk-ZAY-vee-er because, as a previous poster mentioned, we don’t say Ehks-zy-lo-phone. [name_f]My[/name_f] favourite pronunciation though is ZA-vee-ay
I’ve only ever said ehk-ZAY-vee-er. [name_f]My[/name_f] mother used to tell me that if I was a boy my middle name would have been [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] (prn with the X), so that’s how I was introduced to the name. I prefer the X sound in general because otherwise, why not just use a Z?
Thank you, everyone, for your opinions and comments.
I know a few Xaviers, and they’ve all be ZAY-vee-er. I far, far prefer it. Ek-zay-vee-er sounds like a mistake to me.
Completely agree.
[name_m]Xavier[/name_m] will always and forever be ZAY-vee-er to me.
I know so many little Xaviers- all under 5, and half pronounce it one way, and half the other.
I personally prefer the “ehk-ZAY-vee-ər” way- no idea why, just do.
I prefer the Zay-vee-er pronunciation in English though its always Hah-vee-er in my head.
zay-vee-er is the boys name
The eck-zay-vee-er version is the saint or X-men 
ZAY-vee-er is the pronunciation I like. ehks-ZAV-vee-er is ok, but I would never use that pronunciation. Although [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] isn’t on my list, I do like it quite a bit and would consider it if I was more international, like I had [name_m]French[/name_m] family or such. I don’t think the mispronunciation will be too bad. You’ll have to correct some people but it’s not like X as Z is completely foreign to English speakers. Like with [name_m]Xander[/name_m], which I’ve never heard of being pronounced with the ehks, or [name_f]Xena[/name_f].