Max - Boy's Name Meaning, Origin, And Popularity - BabyCenter

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Popular Baby NamesBaby Name ListsBaby Name SearchMy Saved Names

1. Baby Names

Max/maks/

At a glance

Origin: LatinUS Popularity: #118Meaning: GreatestSave to listSee your listFact-checked by Marcella GatesWritten by Erin HegerUpdated on Nov 3, 2025In this article

• Max name meaning and origin
• Max name popularity
• Popularity over time
• Max in pop culture
• Famous people named Max
• Names similar to Max
• Baby name lists including Max

Max name meaning and origin

Max is a short and simple name of Latin origin, derived from the name Maximilian, which means "greatest." Both Max and Maximilian originated from the Roman family name Maximus.

Max is pronounced "maks," and while there aren't many alternative spellings to choose from, you may occasionally see the name spelled as Maxx (the Olympic skater Scott Hamilton chose this spelling for his son's name).

Max is typically used as a shortened name for Maxwell, Maximus, Maximilian, Maxim or Maximo, but it has also gained popularity as a stand-alone first name, mostly for boys. The similar but more feminine Maxine is more commonly used for girls, though the nickname Max is gender neutral.

Like other popular names such as Sam, Jack, and Henry, Max is a strong name that's easy to spell and sure to age well. Such a short name doesn't lend itself well to nicknames, but some options include Mackie, Mack, or Maxie.

The name Max really took off after Maurice Sendak's children's book Where the Wild Things Are was released in the 1960s. The main character in the book is Max, a mischievous boy who takes readers on an imaginative journey in which he sails to a far-away land of monsters.

This edgy-sounding, one-syllable name was among the most popular boy names in the United States in 2010 and 2011, but since then Max has fallen out of the top 100 baby names on the Social Security Administration's list. Still, it remains in the top 150 names in the U.S., and has been in the top 400 names for boys since 1900. Also, Max is popular around the world, including in Wales, England, and Scotland.

Among BabyCenter parents, Max remains a solid choice. Max continues to be close to the top 100 in BabyCenter's boy name rankings. (BabyCenter's name lists are based on data from hundreds of thousands of parents who share their baby's name with us.)

Max is undoubtedly a cool name, but if you're considering it, keep in mind that it's also a common pet name. In fact, Max is the most popular name for dogs in the United States, right up there with Toby, Bella, Riley, and Molly.

Whether for people or man's best friend, the name Max has remained a top choice in the U.S. for more than 100 years – and it certainly isn't going away anytime soon.

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Popularity over time

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Max in pop culture

Max Main character in the children's book Where the Wild Things Are Max Dennison Character in the film Hocus Pocus Max Klinger Character from the TV series M*A*S*H Maximilian, "Max" Goof Son of the Disney character Goofy and character in the film The Goofy Movie Max Character in the film The Secret Life of Pets Max Rockatansky Main character in the Mad Max films Max Character in the animated series Dragon Tales Max Russo Character in the tween television series Wizards of Waverly Place Maxine "Max" Mayfield Character in the Netflix series Stranger Things Advertisement | page continues below

Famous people named Max

Max Ernst German painter and sculptor Max Roach American jazz musician Max Scharping American football player for the Houston Texans Max Greenfield American actor known for his roles in the TV shows Veronica Mars and Ugly Betty Max Changmin Stage name for the Korean singer and songwriter Shim Chang-min Max Becker American musician Max Fried American baseball player for the Atlanta Braves Max Green American musician Max Homa American professional golfer Max Schneider American singer, songwriter, and model Max Weber German sociologist and political economist Max Zaslofsky American professional basketball player

Names similar to Max

Like Max? What about:

JackNoahOliverLeoLiamMaxwellOwenMilesHenryMasonLukeTheo

Common sibling names

Sisters

MollyZoeEmilyLily

Brothers

SamJackAlexJakeBenMason

Baby name lists including Max

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