Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Maxwell
BoyScottish· “Mack's stream”
- Meaning
- Mack's stream
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- MAK-swehl
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #189
- US babies 2025
- 1,924
- Best rank
- #106 (1999)
- Peak year
- 2014
Meaning and origin of Maxwell
Maxwell is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “Mack's stream”.
Maxwell is a Scottish surname taken from a place name near Kelso in the Borders, usually interpreted as "Mack's stream" or "Mack's pool", from a personal name and Old English wella, "spring" or "stream". The Maxwell family became one of the powerful clans of southern Scotland. The physicist James Clerk Maxwell, whose equations unified electricity and magnetism, is its most celebrated bearer. As a given name Maxwell offers a fuller, more formal route to the nickname Max. It feels intelligent, friendly and a little preppy, and it works well from childhood through professional life.
Popularity over time
Maxwell 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 141 different years. Its best national rank was #106 in 1999, and the most babies received it in 2014, when 3,739 were named Maxwell. In 2025, 1,924 babies were named Maxwell, and it ranked #189 nationally. That is 46% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #569 in 1920, #867 in 1950, #635 in 1980, #113 in 2000, #133 in 2010, and #189 in 2025. Of the 108,732 US boys named Maxwell since records began, 30% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 30,049 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Camden, Damian, Braxton, Brantley, and Ryder.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maxwell ranked highest in District of Columbia, Rhode Island, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #57 | 14 |
| Rhode Island | #58 | 17 |
| Utah | #92 | 55 |
| Connecticut | #93 | 39 |
| New Hampshire | #97 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 99% of US babies named Maxwell over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Maxwell is usually pronounced MAK-swehl, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-ll”.
Middle names for Maxwell
A few middle names that flow with Maxwell: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maxwell
Similar names
Campbell Unisex
KAM-buhl
“crooked mouth” · Scottish
#617
Mitchell Boy
MIH-chuhl
“form of Michael” · English
#954
Gavin Boy
GA-vihn
“uncertain; possibly hawk” · Welsh
#303
Carson Boy
KAR-suhn
“uncertain; Scottish surname” · Scottish
#124
Brody Boy
BROH-dee
“from a Scottish and Irish surname” · Scottish
#236
Jameson Boy
JAYM-suhn
“son of James” · English
#137
Colin Boy
KAH-lihn
“young dog; or a form of Nicholas” · Scottish
#343
Finley Unisex
FIHN-lee
“fair warrior” · Scottish
#415
Graham Boy
GRAY-uhm
“from the English place Grantham” · Scottish
#120
Dallas Unisex
DAL-uhs
“from the Scottish place Dallas” · Scottish
#238
Rory Unisex
ROR-ee
“red king” · Irish
#199
Kyler Boy
KY-ler
“modern variant of Kyle” · American (modern coinage)
#404
Lists that include Maxwell
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maxwell mean?
Maxwell is a Scottish name that is usually said to mean “Mack's stream”.
What is the origin of the name Maxwell?
Maxwell has Scottish roots. Maxwell is a Scottish surname taken from a place name near Kelso in the Borders, usually interpreted as "Mack's stream" or "Mack's pool", from a personal name and Old English wella, "spring" or "stream".
Is Maxwell a popular name?
Yes. Maxwell ranked #189 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Maxwell a boy or girl name?
Maxwell is mainly a boy's name. About 99% of US babies named Maxwell over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Maxwell?
Maxwell is usually pronounced MAK-swehl. 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