Declining since 2015, #275 for boys today.
Popularity of Maximus since 1997
Babies named Maximus per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 34 |
| 2000s | 8,618 |
| 2010s | 18,677 |
| 2020s | 7,333 |
Meaning & origin
Maximus, meaning 'greatest' in Latin, has ancient Roman roots as a cognomen but saw a dramatic resurgence in the United States beginning in 1997, coinciding with the release of the film Gladiator. It reached its peak popularity in 2016, when it ranked 275th nationally, though its trajectory has been falling since 2015. The name is most favored in Hawaii, Nevada, and North Dakota, and as of 2025, it remains a strong choice for parents seeking a classical name with a powerful meaning. One in every 1,368 boys born in 2025 was named Maximus, reflecting its sustained but declining appeal.
Maximus is a Latin name derived directly from the word 'maximus', meaning 'greatest'. It was used as a cognomen in ancient Rome, most famously by the military commander Fabius Maximus. The name saw a revival in modern times largely due to the film Gladiator (2000) featuring the character Maximus Decimus Meridius, contributing to its rise in popularity from the late 1990s.
Where Maximus 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.
“Maximus” around the world
Where Maximus lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
10
babies in 2025
New Zealand
15
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Max, Maxie
Sibling names for Maximus
Names that share Maximus's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Julia, Aurelia, Valeria, Claudia, Lucia, Faustina, Regina, Alexius, Xena, Kallista, Lacretia, Quintessa, Maxima, Emerita, Reginna
Brothers: Marcus, Felix, Julius, Augustus, Titus, Caesar, Demetrious, Marcellus, Titan, Aurelius, Octavius, Zeus, Claudius, Gryphon, Hadrian, Corneilus, Crixus, Mathayus, Octavious, Octavis, Trajan, Tyberius, Xavius, Cornellius, Marcelus, Quintus
Names like Maximus
Names whose popularity has moved with Maximus's over the last 50 years.
