The debut of the trailer for a new X-Men movie (“X-Men: First Class”) has reignited fervor for the mutant superheroes. Since the letter “x” features a history worthy of its own comic book, we’re always extremely excited to extend ourselves down an x-marked path. Does the “x” in X-Men stand for unknown, as in x-ray or the “X-Files?” Nope.
The logical next guess would be that the x relates to the name of the groups’ leader, Charles Xavier. Since the first issue of the comic book hit the stands in September of 1963, the wheelchair-bound telepath Professor X (as Xavier is also known) has led the group he dubbed the “X-Men.” But the Professor’s fondness for “x” has more to do with comic book creators’ penchant for alliteration (think Clark Kent, Peter Parker), than the name.
According to comic book lore, the “x” refers to the “X-Gene,” a fictional genetic marker that is not present in most humans, but is possessed by the mutants. It’s the equivalent of Popeye’s spinach, giving the mutants of the Marvel Comics universe their superheroic abilities. The concept behind the “X-Gene” is also what distinguishes the “X-Men” in comic book history: the heroes are born with powers that are sometimes scary and uncontrollable, leading the mutants to be ostracized from mainstream society.
Throughout the long run of the comic, the “x” has also implied “extra power” and conjures an association with a cause of the comic book mutations: radiation exposure.
Despite the name, the X-Men are not all men. Female X-men include the mighty Jean Grey, who was born with telepathic and telekinetic powers, and Storm, who has the ability to manipulate the weather.
The letter “x” is one of the most interesting in the alphabet. Why is Christmas called Xmas? Here’s the answer. What is the “x” in the affectionate written expression “XOXO”? Click here to find out.
Do you have any other questions about superheroes and the strange words that follow them? Ask away.
This was very educational.
On the beer subject, would the definition hold true for “DOSXX the Mexican beer?
I am an investor in this website. I must say that I am displeased with the filth that the producers of this website are putting out. You guys had a good thing going, but your chances for future funding, especially from me, are looking very, very bleak. Look at this article, it’s a perfect example of why this site is losing it’s greatness. Honestly, who wants to read an article about something as useless as a creation of Marvel Comics. Come on, raise the bar, don’t eradicate it, Dictionary.com.
Does anyone also know what the X stands for in CSX…the railroad company on the east coast…seriously, does anyone know what that X stands for!?!?!? :l
they sure did ‘rogue’ wrong in the movies i wish they would have a fiery hot redhead with a bad temper do her some justice in an x-men film. couldn’t understand why they made her such a wimpy child and not even a redhead
full of flimflam
i personally think this article was interesting
@Ari
Sounds like someone’s laboring under the illusion that the high/low culture distinction still means anything.
Come on. It’s 2011. Grow up.
[...] X balanced on the hand as a questionable graphic that can be changed on a whim like Captain Fantastic. — Or the X [...]
Even though you may not be interested in comic books others are. Thats why its in “Dictionary.com.” Its should be in there along with every other word known to man. Personallly im not into comic books, but should be thankfull its in there. Also no worry, I will make a donation and make up for your lack of. I came on the site looking for the definition of phrenology. Thank you.
@Ari
Hey loser, If you don’t like X-men don’t read about it!
Some people out here like marvel stuff. And this is dictionary.com people!
It’s also got the stuff your looking for in other areas and some investors like this kind of stuff.
Love it!
This is both a fascinating and nostalgic exegesis of a classic comic’s origins in titular nomenclature, however, as a child I always assumed that the title was based off of the iconic image depicting Wolverine intersecting his keen talons before him in the form of an “X.” Mind you, I was only six or seven years old at the time. 
so x means unknown right. but xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx doesnt mean unknownunknown…
Who is directing X-men films? Sam Raimi’s (spell wrong?) Spider Mans were fun to watch.
I love dictionary.com; it’s the one place I go to find words. Also, I’m not into X-Men, but I just like reading the info about it. If you think no one else likes their articles, think again. I think this article was actually very interesting!
@Ari
As useless as a creation of Marvel, eh? I bet you’d be singing a different tune if this article was about the B in *Batman*. That’s right, I’m on to you, DC Comics boy!
@Ari: A question is a question. It seems a bit trivial, but I enjoyed that the article actually got it right (former X-men fan), and it was an entertaining read. Oh, and my love of reading and language stems at least in part from trying to read comic books when I was as young as three. My mom would read me a lot, but not comic books, so I quickly learned how to myself. 
I wouldn’t be surprised if a significant minority or even majority of this site’s users and contributors are comic book fans, or at least perfectly fine with this kind of content.
If the site wishes to pursue articles with a similar flavor about super-heroes and/or comic books, I have two suggestions.
1) What do character’s names mean to them, and what do they mean literally?
Many super-hero names were chosen because they sounded cool or have a specific meaning according to the creators or story line, like the above X-Men. However, most have more literal definitions, and if you look you’ll find some with comical implications.
2) Words introduced into common usage (or even created) due to comic books and similar media.
@Ari come on really? Some people, not you, like to have a well rounded knowledge of all kinds of words and their origins. Vocabulary isn’t just about being able to throw a fancy word there out there now and then. Do you know the origin of these words: Boring, self important, egotistical, or whinny? It’s not all about you. I’ll donate as well then you can give up on this site and cuddle up to a fire alone with your dictionary.
Ari, i couldn’t disagree with you more.
do us all a favor, and please do not be so ‘high-handed’. who are YOU, anyway, to set the standard and draw the line for what is good taste versus bad.
i applaud the staff of Dictionary.com for encompassing a wide spectrum of interest(s) and shedding light on subjects that some of us were always wondering about.
so, get your head up out of the clouds and come down to Earth, okay?
Eh, I knew that all along. Not a big deal.
I love this website. I read this section everyday, since the last 2 months. And I have been learning the new words too. 
And I love X-Men comics and animated series.
I hate the movie. The movie is so boring. The characters don’t even match with the cartoon version!
@ Ari
Ah, you’re an old-school mule, aren’t you?
Honestly, I think this website could do without a prudish, uptight, sanctimonious pain in the arse such as yourself, whose fool-hardy, narrow minded misuse of proper ‘expression’ could borderline on overzealous. Last time I checked, this was a website that could define ANYTHING. And thus, they haven’t shirked away from that purpose. It’s 2011, sir. Even more importantly, it’s the INTERNET. The very epitome of free expression the world has known so far.
And since you mentioned something along the lines of raising the bar, it would be fair to notice that the creativity in the storytelling of comics has evolved rather earnestly over the passing times. To denote their importance (as well as the fact that the comic book industry (let alone the X-Men franchise) is a multi-million dollar goldmine in the global community.
If you have such a problem with something so un-offensive as a superhero reference (one which practically every ready here found amusing), then perhaps this site isn’t equipped to cater to your emotional fragility and you should go to wikipedia instead (no offense to the latter). But since we know you’ll continue the use of this lovely website, as well as continue to gourge yourself on the wonderful insights of their blogs, perhaps you should just sit back and let people be themselves.
And incase you didn’t notice, through use of this site did I garner the proper words needed to form this charming response. Grow up or move along, sir. Otherwise, your groundless rant is wasting everyone’s reading space.
Thank you Dictionary.com for another interesting tidbit of information!
Another bee in my bonnet!
I think of the word ‘men’ as applying to both men and women and I never have a problem with it. It is a bit like all ducks are ducks, even when they are drakes (do drakes worry about that?). Mankind is mankind irrespective of gender. X-men obviously would include women, silly.
Actually, I agree with Ari. There are several pages that scrutinize origin stories in comics (I mean, really – have you met any comics fans? That’s most of what we ever do!) but I like to go to a site like this to get the finer points of passive education: say, definitions of words that aren’t used often but once were, or maybe a list of words with interesting backgrounds. If I want to read about Marvel, I can elsewhere and in a much more focused way than this. If I want to read about linguistics, I’d like this site to be the one with more focus on that.
it makes more sence it would stand for the X gene, because every mutant has the so called X gene
hey people, just because you don’t agree with Ari, doesn’t mean you have to be so harsh and rude and sarcastic. We all have different opinions, so just agree to disagree.
interesting article by the way!
What do you mean grow up this world owes a HUGE debt to Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster for creating superman the worlds FIRST super hero. Now you’re all enraged that some one wrote an article on one of the most famous super heroes. Lady I don’t know what your problem is but the truth is these heroes give people hope and you want to be a Jerk over it. You should be a shammed over your self I mean really. These heroes are why most of the people who defend country defend it if you took the comic heroes, and didn’t let any developed a large portion of our troops would not be in the army.
I was wondering if you knew what the letter “F” means in my name.
I know I’m no superhero or anything like that but I am a little bit into music and art.
Also off-topic but still on my mind. Malcolm X answered once that his use of the name “X” was to represent that his real name had been taken from him through the practice of changing slaves names to that of their owners. In short he used the name “X” to represent he had no name that he would accept.
Second note is that the letter is legal for use of a signature in The United States and was often used, sometimes to show the inability to read or write, other times to show consent to a document without leaving the trace back to your real nam, as in… “I’m here now and I witness this to be true, but don’t want to be bothered about it later” and more commonly it’s still used to show that you understand the contents of a statement or remark and will sign off with your full name at the end of the form.
Also no offence to Stan Lee but D.C. has more of the classics.
RE: BTCRAIL101FILMS on February 11, 2011 at 1:53 pm, “Does anyone also know what the X stands for in CSX…”
I think it stands for “Version 10″
Arfen right. Oui?
Unfortunately, the creator of this comic book series (Stan Lee) — and most of the rest of Marvel — did not come up with “Clark Kent”, whom we all also know as Superman. He was part of the DC Comics.
I just had to point that out.
But aside from that, it was a wonderfully informative article! As are the rest of these Hot Word blogs. =D keep ‘em coming, Dictionary.com! I always read these things!
Lol@You can’t hide.
with ref to first commment of the many marvel comics are part of the very fibre of the modern world. Stop being so stuffy lol
I always thought the X-Men were just that: ex-men, former humans who have gone beyond the limits of mainstream humankind. But I may well be mistaken as my broken English hardly suffices for reading easy English with lots of misunderstandings.
this helps…
Racer X is Racer Rex; as in Rex Racer, eldest son of the Racer clan and Speed’s older brother.
All abt this ‘X’ was ok.. but y do thy put XXX in porn???
Sorry, but I think xxx, was a code once for young poeple to mean sex or porn, and it caught on to everyone…
Aww, not working, but I LOVE comic books
I read in the letters page of the the uncanny x-men, in the early 80’s, that the X stood for extra. Many people thought that it stood for Xavier’s men, but the writer and editor made it clear that it was extra men. The X referring to the powers that the mutants had.
the article was very interesting, but I heard that the actual characters in x-men represent something in real life. I was wondering if anyone knew more about that.
@ everyone that shut ( ari ) up
Good job =D
Hey! What about me?!!