Declining since 2012, #8,910 for boys today.
Popularity of Maximilien since 1987
Babies named Maximilien per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 80 |
| 2000s | 108 |
| 2010s | 128 |
| 2020s | 50 |
Meaning & origin
Maximilien is a rare French given name in the United States, first recorded in 1987. It peaked in 1998 and has been falling in usage since 2012, currently ranked 8,910 in 2025 with a 1-in-213,510 newborn rate. The name's slow decline reflects its status as a distinctly French classic, more common in Quebec and France than in the Anglosphere. Despite its obscurity, Maximilien carries a grand meaning and aristocratic resonance, making it a distinctive choice for parents drawn to European tradition.
Maximilien is the French form of the Latin name Maximilianus, itself derived from the Roman cognomen Maximus, meaning 'the greatest.' The name was borne by several saints and was popular among European royalty, most notably Maximilien de Robespierre, a leading figure of the French Revolution. It has seen modest use in France and Quebec, with occasional adoption in English-speaking countries.
“Maximilien” around the world
Where Maximilien lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
85
babies in 2024
Quebec
6
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Max, Maxime, Mili
Variants: Maximilian, Maximiliano, Maximilien
Sibling names for Maximilien
Names that share Maximilien's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Charlotte, Élise, Juliette, Marguerite, Séraphine, Eleonore, Marquerite, Margaruite
