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Saverio

♂ Boy

Pronounced sah-VEH-ree-oh /sɑˈvɛ.ri.oʊ/Medium

Meaning: The Italian form of Xavier, which comes from the Basque place name Etxeberria — etxe ('house') plus berri ('new') — 'the new house'. It spread through Catholic Europe from Saint Francis Xavier, born at the castle of Xavier in Navarre, and became a favorite name in southern Italy.Medium

In 30 seconds: The Italian Xavier: Saverio traces back to a Basque place name meaning 'the new house' (said 'sah-VEH-ree-oh').

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Origin MediumItalian, Basque

MeaningThe Italian form of Xavier, which comes from the Basque place name Etxeberria — etxe ('house') plus berri ('new') — 'the new house'. It spread through Catholic Europe from Saint Francis Xavier, born at the castle of Xavier in Navarre, and became a favorite name in southern Italy.

U.S. rank (2024)#13848 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1922

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,851

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Saverio is Italian for Xavier, and Xavier began as a surname of place: Saint Francis Xavier took his name from the castle of Xavier in Navarre, whose Basque name Etxeberria means 'the new house' (etxe, 'house', plus berri, 'new'). As co-founder of the Jesuits and missionary to Asia, he carried the name across the Catholic world, and it settled deeply in Italy, especially the south (said 'sah-VEH-ree-oh').

In the U.S. it is rare, most at home in Italian-American families. Rare, saintly, and Italian.

Did you know? Xavier — and so Saverio — is not a word but a place: the Basque castle of Etxeberria, 'the new house', where Saint Francis Xavier was born in 1506. Italian families have loved the name ever since.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Saverio — Italian form of Xavier; Basque Etxeberria, 'new house'; Saint Francis Xavier

Variations

XavierJavierXaverio

Nicknames

SavRio

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Saverio…

Xavier— the same name in its original form

Javier— the Spanish form of the same saint's name

Valerio— a like flowing Italian four-beat name

Emilio— a like warm Italian pick with the -io ending

Explore names like Saverio

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Saverio mean?

Saverio is the Italian form of Xavier, from the Basque place name Etxeberria — 'the new house'.

How do you pronounce Saverio?

It's said sah-VEH-ree-oh /sɑˈvɛ.ri.oʊ/ — four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Saverio a boy or girl name?

Saverio is a boy's name.

How popular is Saverio?

Saverio is rare in the U.S., though long familiar in Italy.