Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Max
BoyLatin· “greatest”
- Meaning
- greatest
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- MAKS
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #180
- US babies 2025
- 2,025
- Best rank
- #96 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Max
Max is a Latin name that means “greatest”.
Max began as a short form of Maximilian, Maximus and later Maxwell, and it is now widely used as a full name in its own right. Maximilian and Maximus derive from the Latin maximus, meaning "greatest". Maximilian was a name of Holy Roman Emperors and of the Habsburg dynasty, which helped spread Max throughout German-speaking Europe. Notable bearers include the physicist Max Planck and the sociologist Max Weber. Today Max feels friendly, confident and international, a single punchy syllable that works in English, German, Spanish and many other languages. It suits parents who want something short and classic without sounding stiff.
Other spellings with the same sound: Maxx.
Popularity over time
Max has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #96 in 2011, and the most babies received it in 2009, when 3,958 were named Max. In 2025, 2,025 babies were named Max, and it ranked #180 nationally. That is 41% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #112 in 1920, #240 in 1950, #362 in 1980, #165 in 2000, #98 in 2010, and #180 in 2025. Of the 167,458 US boys named Max since records began, 20% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 27,368 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Giovanni, Jonah, Emmanuel, Cayden, and Jaiden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Max ranked highest in District of Columbia, Alaska, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #41 | 18 |
| Alaska | #81 | 10 |
| New Jersey | #102 | 98 |
| North Dakota | #115 | 11 |
| New York | #118 | 156 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Max over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Max is usually pronounced MAKS, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with M and ends in “-ax”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Maxx.
Middle names for Max
A few middle names that flow with Max: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Max
Similar names
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Lists that include Max
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Max mean?
Max is a Latin name that means “greatest”.
What is the origin of the name Max?
Max has Latin roots. Max began as a short form of Maximilian, Maximus and later Maxwell, and it is now widely used as a full name in its own right.
Is Max a popular name?
Yes. Max ranked #180 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Max a boy or girl name?
Max is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Max over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Max?
Max is usually pronounced MAKS. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings