Max
Max: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /mæks/
Meaning and origin of Max
- A male given name from Latin.
- A diminutive of the male given names Maximilian and Maxwell.
- A diminutive of the female given name Maxine.
Etymology
Borrowed from German Max, diminutive of Maximilian in the 19th century, later also used as a nickname for Maxwell.
How popular is Max?
Since 1880, 1,119 girls and 167,458 boys in the U.S. have been named Max (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2460 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #96 in 2011. In 2025 it ranked #180 for boys, with 2,066 babies given the name.
Names similar to Max
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin boy names
Sibling name ideas for Max
Sister and brother names that share Max's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Max FAQ
What does the name Max mean?
A male given name from Latin. A diminutive of the male given names Maximilian and Maxwell. A diminutive of the female given name Maxine. Borrowed from German Max, diminutive of Maximilian in the 19th century, later also used as a nickname for Maxwell.
What is the origin of the name Max?
Max is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Max?
Since 1880, 1,119 girls and 167,458 boys in the U.S. have been named Max (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2460 in 2023. Its highest rank for boys was #96 in 2011. In 2025 it ranked #180 for boys, with 2,066 babies given the name.
Is Max a boy or girl name?
Max is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,119 girls and 167,458 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.