Xian is an ancient Chinese given name that has been used for thousands of years. It is composed of two characters, "先" (xiān) and "建" (jiàn), which together mean "preceding" or "forerunner". This name has been bestowed upon numerous historical figures in China, including Xian of Chu, a king who reigned during the Spring and Autumn Period. Today, Xian remains a popular choice among Chinese parents for their children's given names.
The name Xian saw a significant increase in popularity between 1998 and 2003, with a peak of six births in both 1999 and 2003. However, from 2004 onwards, the number of annual births fluctuated more widely, ranging from five to nine. Despite these fluctuations, the total number of births named Xian over this period is considerable, reaching eighty-seven.