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Home › Baby Names Directory › Xendaya

Xendaya

♀ Girl

Pronounced zen-DY-uh /zɛnˈdaɪ.ə/Medium

Meaning: An X- respelling of Zendaya, a modern American name made famous by the actress Zendaya Coleman and often explained as a form of Shona (Zimbabwean) tendai, 'to give thanks'. That gloss is widely repeated but not firmly documented, and the X- spelling is stylistic — routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A star-adjacent respelling: Xendaya reworks Zendaya, often glossed 'to give thanks' (said 'zen-DY-uh'). Routes uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowAmerican
MeaningAn X- respelling of Zendaya, a modern American name made famous by the actress Zendaya Coleman and often explained as a form of Shona (Zimbabwean) tendai, 'to give thanks'. That gloss is widely repeated but not firmly documented, and the X- spelling is stylistic — routes uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#13356 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2020
Total births (all-time)≈ 35

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202120132024

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

Xendaya respells Zendaya, a modern name carried into the spotlight by the American actress Zendaya Coleman. The usual explanation links it to Shona tendai, 'to give thanks', though that account is more repeated than documented. The X- opening is a stylistic swap. Routes uncertain, which we note (said 'zen-DY-uh').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S., far behind the standard spelling. Rare, modern, and celebrity-shadowed.

Did you know? Zendaya, the name behind Xendaya, is usually explained as coming from Shona tendai, 'to give thanks' — a gloss repeated everywhere but hard to pin down. Routes uncertain, which we note (said 'zen-DY-uh').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Xendaya — X- respelling of Zendaya; Shona tendai gloss widely repeated, not firmly documented

Variations

ZendayaXendayahZendayah

Nicknames

XenDaya

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Xendaya…

Zendaya— the name Xendaya respells
Zaniyah— a like Z-sounding modern pick
Amaya— a similar -aya ending
Dayana— a like flowing three-beat choice

Explore names like Xendaya

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Xendaya mean?

Xendaya respells Zendaya, often explained as Shona tendai, 'to give thanks'. That gloss is not firmly documented, so routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Xendaya?

It's said zen-DY-uh /zɛnˈdaɪ.ə/ — three syllables, stress on the second; the X sounds like a Z.

Is Xendaya a boy or girl name?

Xendaya is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Xendaya?

Xendaya is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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