All the Max Names: Popular Maxwell, Rare Maxen and More

What is Max short for?

Max names range from a simple, single-syllable name to some of the longest choices for our sons.

WILD and WONDERFUL

We picture many famous people by the name in black and white: actor Max Baer, physicist Max Planck, sociologist Max Weber.

But then along came a story.

The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind … and another …

Maurice Sendak’s enduring 1963 children’s book Where the Wild Things Are gave a grandpa name to a young boy. After all, just Max peaked by the year 1914. By the 1960s, Max and company were stuck in style limbo.

Except the book has become a constant presence on the list of children’s favorites. 

Dr. Seuss gave the name to the sweet, long-suffering dog in How the Grinch Stole Christmas in 1957. The 1966 animated version of the tale became a holiday classic.

By 1979, a very different kind of Max captured our imaginations; the antihero at the heart of the Mad Max movies.

Parents who grew up hearing it the name in so many unforgettable stories embraced the name. And now, Max feels exactly right for a child.

But let’s say you find Max too brief to complete your son’s birth certificate. Formal names for Max abound. 

Let’s look at the options.

MAX (#163)

Keeping it simple works. Even at a mere three letters, Max offers a satisfying, complete sound. As a stand-alone first name, it hits the sweet spot – not too common, not too unusual. Singer Christina Aguilera has a Max Liron and actor Cynthia Nixon opted for Max Ellington to name just two high-profile celebrities who chose the name.

The spelling Maxx is sometimes seen, too, but doesn’t appear in the current US Top 1000.

MAKS (unranked)

It looks like a creative twist on classic Max, but not so. Instead, it’s the Slavic equivalent of Maks. Though it’s often short for Maksim, which brings us to …

MAKSIM (unranked)

Once again, Maksim is the Slavic form of Maximus. It’s also spelled Maksym in some languages.

MASSIMO (#842)

Strictly speaking, Massimo isn’t among the Max names. There’s no X! There’s not even a KS making the correct sound. But it is the Italian form of Maximus, a brother for Luca and Matteo. And shortening it to Max isn’t out of the question, either.

MAXEN (unranked)

It looks like a creative take on Max, but Maxen might also be an English spelling of the Welsh Macsen. That name appears in Welsh myth and belonged to a real ruler of fourth century Wales – Magnus Maximus. Maximus became Macsen in Welsh, so this comes full circle back to the Max names.

MAXENCE (unranked)

An old school French name, Maxence remains in steady use throughout the Francophone world.

MAXFIELD (unranked)

American artist and illustrator Maxfield Parrish makes the name familiar. Parrish was born Frederick, and adopted his grandmother’s maiden name as his professional name. Maxfield has never appeared in the US rankings, but could be the perfect fits-in/stands-out kind of choice.

MAXIM (unranked)

Maxim seems vaguely European, maybe because it’s Russian and Czech, and also the name of a famous Paris restaurant. As a word, it refers to a brief saying, like a proverb. It could be a great alternative to just Max, though the men’s magazine probably gives parents pause. In Slavic languages like Polish and Ukrainian, Maksym is the preferred spelling.

MAXIMILIAN (#571)

At four – or even drawn out to five – syllables, the name Maximilian fits right in with Alexander and other long boy names. It’s an elaborate choice, tied to saints and kings, but accessible thanks to easy nickname Max. Jennifer Lopez has a son called Max, short for Maximilian.

MAXIMILIANO (#291)

The Spanish form of Maximilian adds even one more syllable to this dramatic, dashing name.

MAXIMINUS (unranked)

Another name from the ancient world, Maximinus is rarely heard in modern times, but it fits with elaborate Max names.

MAXIMINO (unranked)

Nearly any name with an ‘o’ at the end feels at least a little current right now.

MAXIMO (#578)

The Spanish form of Maximus is yet another ‘o’ ending option.

MAXIMUS (#320)

Big, bold Maximus came into general use following Russell Crowe’s Oscar-winning turn as an ancient warrior in 2000’s Gladiator. It’s a historically-appropriate character name; the Roman family name Maximus appears throughout the ancient world. It comes from the Latin word meaning “the greatest” and could inspire some serious achievements.

MAXIMUM (unranked)

An epic boy name in the key of Legend and Maverick, Maximum would be a daring, unconventional choice – and yet easy nickname Max makes it potentially wearable.

MAXSON (unranked)

As with Maxen, this might be an English adaptation of Macsen. Or possibly it’s a modern spin, a mix of popular Max and Jaxson.

MAXTON (unranked)

Axton, Jaxton, and a handful of other newly coined names fit right in with so many popular choices.

MAXWELL (#183)

Just Max is slightly more popular, but Maxwell comes in second place. A Beatles song uses the name Maxwell for a silver hammer-wielding murderer, and yet the song is upbeat, rather than dark. Originally a place name in Scotland and then a surname, possibly not related to Max at all, it fights right in with Carter and Lincoln and Hayes.

MAX as a GIRL’S NAME

Of course, Max can be short for girls’ names, too … and 53 girls were named Max in 2021 alone. That’s not really enough to declare Max gender neutral, but a handful of

MAXI, MAXIE (unranked)

It’s a name that ought to fit right in with Sadie and Millie, but Maxie might be a little too close to feminine hygiene products to feel like an obvious choice for baby girls.

MAXIMA (unranked)

Ancient Roman name Maxima has remained in use across European countries, particularly Spain. Argentine-born Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti married the future King of the Netherlands and is now known as Queen Maxima. The even longer Maximina is another option.

MAXIME (unranked)

Harry Potter fans might immediately think of Madame Maxime. Strictly speaking, this is a French masculine name, but the sound could easily be feminine.

MAXIMILIANE, MAXIMILIENNE (unranked)

The elaborate, French feminine form of Maximilian, swapping the -milian for a -milienne. It might appeal to parents who already love Vivienne. Maximiliane is German. Besides Max, these names easily shorten to Millie.

MAXINE (#513)

Once an old lady name, Maxine is back. Some of it is the nickname Max; credit also goes to fictional characters like Stranger Things’ Maxine “Max” Mayfield. The feminine Maxine also got a boost from Kat Dennings’ character Maxine “Max” Black on long-running sitcom 2 Broke Girls. It’s a name with plenty of spark, a vintage choice that feels strong and ready for revival. The spelling Maxene is very occasionally seen, too.

What are your favorite Max names? 

First published on August 31, 2012, this post was revised and re-posted on November 13, 2019; May 6, 2021; April 27, 2023; and November 6, 2024.