Xander is of Greek origin, meaning "defending men". It is a variant spelling of Alexander, which translates to "protector of mankind". The name gained popularity through the character Xander Harris in the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". In terms of usage, Xander has been more prevalent as a boy's name in recent years, but it remains unisex. In the United States, it has seen increased use since the 1990s.
"Xannder is quite rare, with just five children bearing this name born annually in 2015 and no more than that total since."