Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Maxine
GirlEnglish, French· “greatest”
- Meaning
- greatest
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- mak-SEEN
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #497
- US babies 2025
- 597
- Best rank
- #76 (1923)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Maxine
Maxine is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “greatest”.
Maxine is a feminine form of Max, which comes from the Latin Maximus, meaning greatest, or from Maximilian. The -ine ending is French in style, and the name became popular in English-speaking countries in the early twentieth century. Maxine Waters, the American congresswoman, and Maxine Hong Kingston, author of The Woman Warrior, are well-known bearers, and the name has a bright, jazzy energy. After a long quiet period, Maxine is being reconsidered as part of the vintage revival. Max and Maxie are lively nicknames that make it feel modern.
Popularity over time
Maxine first appears in US Social Security records in 1884. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 102 different years, starting in 1884. Its best national rank was #76 in 1923, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 3,659 were named Maxine. In 2025, 597 babies were named Maxine, and it ranked #497 nationally. That is 155% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #81 in 1920, #213 in 1950, #1,201 in 1980, #1,146 in 2000, #1,424 in 2010, and #497 in 2025. Of the 115,612 US girls named Maxine since records began, 29% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 20,476 babies. Since 2010, 5,516 more have been named Maxine.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Wilma, Marian, Margie, Geneva, and Rosa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maxine ranked highest in Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #152 | 6 |
| Washington | #283 | 26 |
| Oregon | #287 | 13 |
| Wisconsin | #322 | 17 |
| California | #323 | 101 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Maxine is usually pronounced mak-SEEN, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Maxine
A few middle names that flow with Maxine: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maxine
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Lists that include Maxine
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maxine mean?
Maxine is an English and French name that is usually said to mean “greatest”.
What is the origin of the name Maxine?
Maxine has English, French, and Latin roots. Maxine is a feminine form of Max, which comes from the Latin Maximus, meaning greatest, or from Maximilian.
Is Maxine a popular name?
Yes. Maxine ranked #497 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Maxine a boy or girl name?
Maxine is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Maxine?
Maxine is usually pronounced mak-SEEN. 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