Names › Boys' names › M › Max

Max

Meaning: greatest · Origin: Latin · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

A short form of Maximilian and Maxwell, from Latin maximus, 'greatest'. Very popular across Europe.

Famous people named Max

Max Verstappen (racing driver)
Max Planck (physicist)

Nicknames

Maxie

Variants & related names

Maximilian, Maxim, Maximo

Max name art

A free preview of a printable “Max” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Max mean?

Max means “greatest”. It comes from Latin.

Is Max a popular name?

Yes — Max has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Max?

Maxie.

What are other forms of Max?

Maximilian, Maxim, Maximo.

Similar names

Julian · Anthony · Adrian · Christian · Roman · Dominic

More: names starting with M · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.