贤（xian）
Name meaning
贤 (Xian) carries worthiness, virtue and capability recognized through conduct rather than claim. In a name it suggests moral substance, competence and respect earned over time.
Practical naming use
贤 (Xian) is useful when a name needs worthy, virtuous, capable rather than a generic pleasant sound. Its register is virtue, classic, so it can support a unisex name that feels culturally legible, visually compact and easy to explain. The character should be paired with a second character that gives the image a human scene: learning, calm action, public responsibility, graceful movement or long-range aspiration.
Pair 贤 (Xian) with characters that soften or complete its core image. Bright partners make it more optimistic; scholarly partners make it more literate; water or nature partners make it calmer; virtue partners make it more formal.
贤安 (Xianan): Xian contributes worthy, virtuous; An adds peace, safety.
Historical / name-use references
李贤 (Li Xian)
Tang crown prince and historical figure; 贤 (Xian) appears in his given name.