Declining since 2010, #180 for boys today.
Popularity of Max since 1880
Babies named Max per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 765 |
| 1890s | 1,112 |
| 1900s | 1,567 |
| 1910s | 10,859 |
| 1920s | 14,081 |
| 1930s | 11,757 |
| 1940s | 8,526 |
| 1950s | 7,430 |
| 1960s | 5,023 |
| 1970s | 4,231 |
| 1980s | 8,741 |
| 1990s | 18,216 |
| 2000s | 27,368 |
| 2010s | 34,141 |
| 2020s | 13,641 |
Meaning & origin
Max is a short, strong name that has been in consistent use since 1880, the earliest year of U.S. Social Security records. It reached its peak rank of 180 in 2011, though it has been gradually declining since 2010. In 2025, it ranked 180 with a 1-in-843 incidence. The name is particularly common in Washington D.C., Alaska, and North Dakota. As a clipped form of Maximus or Maxwell, it carries the meaning 'greatest' while remaining approachable and versatile. Its simplicity has ensured lasting appeal across generations.
Max originated as a short form of Latin names like Maximus (meaning 'greatest') and Maximilian, and later of the Scottish surname Maxwell. It gained popularity as an independent given name in the 19th century, especially in English-speaking countries. The name has been widely used across Europe and the Americas.
Where Max is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Max” around the world
Where Max lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
125
babies in 2024
Ireland
#41
in 2025
New Zealand
#33
in 2025
Quebec
16
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#30
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Sibling names for Max
Names that share Max's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Ella, Grace, Lily, Ava, Sophie, Allie, April, Ellie, Heidi, Jo, Lola, Nina, Nola, Abbe, Abbi, Cher, Cleo, Corine, Emerald, Frida, Gabby, Lara, Lilli, Liza, Lulu, May, Mickie, Mimi, Mitzie, My, Roxie, Sol, Tess, Yetta, Zena, Barbie, Bea, Bebe, Bee, Buffy, Bunny, Cally, Cammie, Charly, Cherri, Dimple, Elza, Emmi, Gigi, Izzy, Lexa, Lexy, Liesel, Lili, Lise, Lu, Macayla, Madie, Mel, Mitzy, Molli, Roxy, Teddi, Tiny, Tommi, Vanna, Verena, Alie, Cece, Char, Cookie, Cyd, Daizy, Deisi, Gari, Hally, Happy, Jannis, Jaynie, Joli, Katha, Ma, Maddy, Madi, Mar, Mekenna, Rossy, Roxi, Susi, Blondie, Calie, Caro, Charie, Charlei, Didi, Gabbie, Goldy, Hedy, Katti, Kla, Ly, Maly, Mao, Masey, Pal, Pola, Rox, Tessy, Vee, Camy, Surie, Ammi, Cici, Eleven, Fifi, Gera, Jem, Jozy, Maday, Magaby, Mane, Michie, Moni, Ritta, Sady, Ski, Vicy, Winni
Brothers: Jack, Leo, Oscar, Henry, Sam, Alex, Beau, Ben, Charlie, Felix, Jess, Otto, Rex, Will, Buddy, Cal, Cass, Desi, Eduard, Hardy, Hugo, Kaiser, Lex, Lou, Lucky, Nat, Robby, Rocky, Sid, Sonny, Toby, Vince, Von, Arno, Chazz, Chip, Cris, Dany, Dutch, Franz, Kam, Lev, Micky, Tadd, Vic, Willem, Ziggy, Acey, Berl, Dom, Edi, Hobie, Jak, Jj, Joss, Ki, Kong, Million, Mister, Orry, Phill, Pier, Thom, Timm, Beni, Benji, Benn, Caillou, Klein, Lj, Markey, Marx, Maxi, Mikhi, Min, Motty, Nik, Nox, Pj, Tobby, Tyke, Cas, Bex, Gotti, Jas, Joa, Kaspar, Khye, Luv, Mackson, Marke, Markon, Math, Michi, Ohn, Timo
Names like Max
Names whose popularity has moved with Max's over the last 50 years.
