Akathist means "standing" such as "standing in prayer" or more accurately, "a prayer one stands for".
About Saint's. Converts often pick their own. I chose Xenia of Rome because she is honored within a month of my birthday and because when I read about her I felt a connection.
Over time, St. Xenia of St. Petersburg is someone I have also felt a strong connection to as well.
It was frustrating when I was first looking at Saints names, for I felt a strong connnection to "St. Nectarious of Aegina" but couldn't figure out a feminine version of his name. I ask him daily for his intercessions even though I didn't take his name.
So, I am the "handmaiden of the Lord, Xenia" when I receive the Eucharist. I wish more people in my life would call me "Xenia" but most people just can't seem to remember, or even don't want to call me by my Christian name.