The nameMax
Max is a short boy's name of Latin origin meaning "greatest". A short form of Maximilian or Maxwell, it is popular in Britain, Germany and the Netherlands.
- Boy's name
- Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Max comes from the Latin maximus, "greatest". It is a short form of Maximilian, Maximus or, in English, Maxwell.
Origin
Latin, through German. Max became a name in its own right in Germany in the 19th century.
History
Max has been a top 20 name in England and Wales and is a leading name in Germany and the Netherlands. Max Verstappen and Max Planck are famous bearers.
Did you know?
- In 2016 Max Verstappen became, at 18, the youngest driver to win a Formula One Grand Prix.
- Max Planck won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918, and a fundamental constant of physics bears his name.
Famous people named Max
- Max Planck, physicist
- Max Weber, sociologist
- Max Verstappen, racing driver
- Max, hero of Where the Wild Things Are
Popularity of the name Max
Max in the United States
Max was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 34,400 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named Max. Its rise began around 1912, and it peaked in 2009. Half of all babies named Max in the United States were born before 1994. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 2,379 births a year on average, against 3,164 in the five years before.
Max in the United Kingdom
Max was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 28,334 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Max. Half of all babies named Max in the United Kingdom were born before 2011, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 1,526 births a year on average, against 2,254 in the five years before.
Max in Ireland
Max in France
Max in Belgium
Max in Switzerland
Max in Austria
Max in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Max
Names from the same generation as Max, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Max? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Max with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Max side by side with the name of your choice.
Max in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Max mean?
Max comes from the Latin maximus, "greatest". It is a short form of Maximilian, Maximus or, in English, Maxwell.
What is the origin of the name Max?
Latin, through German. Max became a name in its own right in Germany in the 19th century.
Is Max a girl's or a boy's name?
Max is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Max?
In 2024, Max was the 175th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 2,120 births.
What are the variants of the name Max?
Variants and related names of Max include Maximilian, Maximilien and Maxine.
What are good sibling names for Max?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Claire, Juliana, Natalia and Valerie for a sister, Dominic, Vincent, Adrian and Emmanuel for a brother.
Who are famous people named Max?
Max Planck, physicist; Max Weber, sociologist; Max Verstappen, racing driver; Max, hero of Where the Wild Things Are.