The first name Max

In 2025, 1,061 boys were named Max, making it the 48th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2012, with 3,220 births (#18).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Max with other names.

In 2025, 2,025 boys born in the United States were named Max, the 180th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 2009, when 3,958 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Nicknames for Max

• Mac
• Mack

• Max Born
  German-Jewish physicist and mathematician (1882–1970)
• Max Euwe
  Dutch chess player and mathematician, 1901–1981
• Friedrich Max Müller
  German-born British philologist, orientalist and indologist (1823–1900)
• Max Delbrück
  Biophysicist (1906–1981)
• Max Perutz
  Austrian-born British molecular biologist (1914-2002)
• Max Brod
  Bohemian-Israeli author, composer, and journalist (1884–1968)
• Max Wolf
  German astrophotography pioneer (1863-1932)
• Max Jacob
  French poet, painter, writer and critic (1876-1944)
• Max Liebermann
  German painter (1847–1935)
• Prince Maximilian of Baden
  German chancellor (1867-1929)
• Max Schmeling
  German boxer (1905-2005)
• Max Reinhardt
  Austrian-American theater director and actor (1873-1943)

• Leo
• Lucas
• Paul
• Theodore
• Sebastian
• Anthony
• Gabriel
• Patrick
• Martin
• Mark
• Roman
• Leon
• Francis
• Felix
• Julian
• Victor

All 381 names of Latin origin

What does the name Max mean?

Borrowed from German Max, diminutive of Maximilian in the 19th century, later also used as a nickname for Maxwell.

What is the origin of the name Max?

Borrowed from German Max, diminutive of Maximilian in the 19th century, later also used as a nickname for Maxwell.

How popular is the name Max?

In 2025, 1,061 boys born in England and Wales were named Max, ranking 48th. Its peak was 2012, with 3,220 births.

What are nicknames for Max?

Common nicknames for Max include Mac, Mack.

Is Max a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a boy's name: 99% of the 168,577 US babies named Max since 1880 were boys.

When was Max most popular?

2009 in the United States, when 3,958 babies were named Max, its highest rank at 104th.

How do you pronounce Max?

Max is /mæks/, one syllable.

Is Max also a surname?

Yes. Max is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.