Surname Xandu - Meaning and Origin

Xandu: What does the surname Xandu mean?

The last name Xandu is believed to originate from the Sanskrit word ‘khandu’, meaning ‘cradle’ or ‘axis’. It may also be derived from the Greek words ‘xan’ (meaning ‘dawn’) and ‘duos’ (‘two’).

Throughout history, Xandu has been used as both a first and last name, such as in the Spanish and Portuguese surnames of 'Xandu' and 'Xandú'. Various records suggests it has also been used as a surname in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and parts of France.

In India, the surname is often associated with the Nair and Ezhavas social groups, who are believed to have adopted it by the time of the British Raj. Xandu is also found in Gujarat, a western province of India.

The surname is strongly associated with the Hindu god Vishnu’s various avatars, with the name meaning ‘time’ (xan) and ‘light’ (duos) in Greek. As a result, it is thought to have been an integral part of the worship of Vishnu.

In modern times, Xandu is a commonly seen surname, which is often used as an homage to Vishnu. Although not a popular surname in the western world, it is gaining popularity in the modern age.

The combination of meanings attached to Xandu are suggestive of a strong sense of heritage, and suggest the surname is closely tied to the mythology of Vishnu from ancient India.

Xandu: Where does the name Xandu come from?

The surname Xandu has origins to the Basque region of Spain and has since been found in various parts of the world. It is most widely found in Central and South America, particularly in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Mexico. In Colombia, Xandu is a rather common surname that is derived from the Basque surname “Xan” which means “wolf.” The name mostly appears among Catholic populations since it is also seen as related to a saint’s name – Saint Anthony of Saxony.

The United States has seen a greater influx of Xandu in recent decades with its many immigrants from Central and South America. In fact, the earliest record of it is found in Louisiana in 1837. It is most widespread in Florida, Texas, and California, as well as in Puerto Rico, where it has been used for many generations and is particularly common among Spanish-speaking families. It is also commonly found across the United Kingdom as well as in other parts of Europe, such as Portugal and Spain.

Given its prevalence in Spanish-speaking parts of the world, it’s no surprise that Xandu is among the most common surnames. The name provides a unique insight into a person’s heritage and cultural background, regardless of which part of the world they call home.

Variations of the surname Xandu

Xandu is a surname with a variety of origins, spellings and variants, with its roots likely tracing back to Portuguese, Italian, Indian and even Spanish heritage.

In its Portuguese spelling, the name is spelt Xandu. The same name also has its roots in Italian, where it is spelt Xandui or Xanudo. In India, the surname is typically spelled as Xandu and is derived from the Gujarati language, often indicating an individual belonging to an Indian caste.

Common variants of Xandu include Xanudo, Xand, Xanden, Xandeh, Xandes, Xandez, Xandu, Xandos, Xandou, Xandues, Xandus, Xanudo, Xanudu, and Xemudu.

The surname also has a number of Spanish variants, which include Xandau, Xandeu, Xandey, Xandi, Xandie, Xandios, Xandius, Xando, Xandos, Xandu, Xandue, Xandui, Xanduo, Xandus and Xanduz.

Several surnames with similar spellings and origins include Cassandu, Sandu, Santos and Sandau, all of which have various roots in Latin, Italian and Spanish. In addition, surnames such as Xavis, Ximou and Xavior also share similar origins and spellings with Xandu.

Famous people with the name Xandu

• Merlin Santana Xandu (1980-2002): Brazilian-American actor best known for his role as Rudy Huxtable’s friend, Stanley, on "The Cosby Show".
• Augusto Xandu (born 1972): Brazilian performer and recording artist.
• Antonio Xandu Nunes: Portuguese poet and writer.
• Francisco Xandu: Portuguese poet and playwright.
• Gracinda Xandu: Portuguese science-fiction and fantasy writer and poet.
• Marco Xandu: Portuguese actor.
• Pedro Xandu: Portuguese architect, and co-founder of Grupo Xandu, a real-estate development firm.
• Rita Xandu: Portuguese opera singer.
• Maria Luisa Xandu: Chilean journalist and television presenter.
• Jesus Xandu (born 2009): Spanish actor.

Other surnames

XanderXandhu