Declining since 2017, #590 for boys today.
Popularity of Maximilian since 1907
Babies named Maximilian per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 54 |
| 1920s | 39 |
| 1930s | 12 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 102 |
| 1970s | 260 |
| 1980s | 928 |
| 1990s | 2,761 |
| 2000s | 5,101 |
| 2010s | 6,508 |
| 2020s | 3,153 |
Meaning & origin
Maximilian is a name of Latin origin meaning 'greatest.' It has been in use in the United States since at least 1907, but its popularity has fluctuated. The name reached its peak in 2016, ranking 135th, before entering a period of decline. By 2025, it had fallen to 590th, with approximately 1 in 3,437 boys receiving the name. The decline has been consistent since 2017, though the name retains strong ties to certain states. Its top states are Connecticut, Illinois, and Washington, suggesting a preference along the coasts and in the Midwest. Despite the recent dip, Maximilian remains a distinguished choice for parents drawn to its royal and historical associations.
Maximilian derives from the Latin name Maximilianus, a blend of Maximus (greatest) and Aemilianus, a Roman family name. It was notably borne by the Roman emperor Maximilianus in the 3rd century and later became popular among European royalty, especially in the Habsburg dynasty. The name has been used in Germany and Austria for centuries, and saw a broader resurgence in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century.
Where Maximilian 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.
“Maximilian” around the world
Where Maximilian lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
15
babies in 2025
Quebec
8
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Max, Milo
Variants: Maximilien, Massimiliano, Maximiliano
Sibling names for Maximilian
Names that share Maximilian's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Charlotte, Sophia, Amelia, Victoria, Olivia, Anastasia, Clementina, Philomena, Amalie, Anastacia, Angelika, Annaliese, Carolin, Juliane, Viktoria, Constantina, Josefine, Franziska, Sebastiana, Valecia, Filippa
Brothers: Alexander, Sebastian, Theodore, Benjamin, Julian, Constantine, Ferdinand, Johann, Napoleon, Victor, Baltazar, Niklaus, Nikolaus, Dimitrius, Nicolaus, Philipp, Sebastion, Sevastian, Valerian, Balthazar, Constantin, Emmerich, Octavion, Zebastian, Aurelian, Erasmus, Moritz, Orlandus
Names like Maximilian
Names whose popularity has moved with Maximilian's over the last 50 years.
