When you think of Christmas, the letter “X” might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it actually has some interesting connections to the holiday. From the well-known abbreviation “Xmas” to names like Ximena, which show up in seasonal stories, the letter pops up in unexpected places. Even Χριστός (Christos), the Greek word for Christ, ties directly into the religious meaning of Christmas. And though it’s not a typical Christmas term, xadrez, meaning a checkered pattern, often appears in winter decorations or clothing around the season. So, while “X” might seem like an odd fit for Christmas, it’s surprisingly present in a few ways!
Xmas
You’ve probably seen “Xmas” used instead of “Christmas,” right? It’s a simple abbreviation that comes from the Greek letter Chi (Χ), which is the first letter in the Greek word Χριστός (Christos), meaning Christ. So, even though “Xmas” looks like just a casual shortcut, it’s actually rooted in ancient tradition and still points directly to the religious significance of the holiday—the birth of Christ.
Χριστός (Christos)
This one is quite straightforward. Χριστός (pronounced “Christos”) is the Greek word for Christ, and it’s at the very heart of Christmas. The holiday is all about celebrating the birth of Christ, so you can see how this word is fundamentally tied to the meaning and significance of Christmas in Christian traditions.
Ximena
While not a word directly tied to Christmas, Ximena is a common name in Spanish-speaking countries, and it occasionally shows up in Christmas-related stories, like nativity plays or seasonal tales. It’s a reminder of how names, even those not explicitly linked to the holiday, can be part of Christmas traditions, especially when they appear in festive settings or stories.
Xadrez
This one’s a bit more of a stretch when it comes to Christmas, but xadrez is the Portuguese word for “checkers” or a checkered pattern. While it isn’t a Christmas-specific word, checkered designs are often used in seasonal decorations or even in winter clothing—think of checkered scarves or tablecloths around the holidays. So, it has an indirect connection to the season, especially in how festive patterns often make an appearance in Christmas decor or clothing.
Christmas words that start with the letter X has to be the hardest letter to find words on. If you have any more please let me know I’ll happily add it to the list.
