Max
MAKS /mæks/
Meaning of Max
Max is the short form of Maximilian (from the Latin Maximus, 'greatest') or Maxwell (Old English 'Mack's stream'). In German-speaking countries Max has been used as an independent given name since the 19th century and has been inside the German top-10 for boys for over twenty years. The sense of 'greatest' — from Latin maximus — gives it an assertive, confident tone.
Current popularity of Max
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Germany (GfdS) | 2024 | #4 |
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #135 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #16 |
| AU | 2024 | #6 |
Notable bearers of Max
Max Planck (physicist); Max Ernst (artist); Max (Where the Wild Things Are).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Max — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31