Max Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Max is predominantly used for boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Max?
Max is spelled M-A-X. The name has 3 letters.
Max at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for boys
- Meaning
- Derived from “Maximus,” meaning “greatest” in Latin.
- Origin
- Max is commonly associated with the Latin name Maximus, used in ancient Rome.
- Pronunciation
- maks · 1 syllable
Max Popularity in 2025
Rank#3,645
Recorded Births41
Rank#180
Recorded Births2,025
- Girls usage fell 186 places to #3,645 and recorded 4 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 5 places to #180 and recorded 101 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Max Mean?
Derived from “Maximus,” meaning “greatest” in Latin.
Origin: Max is commonly associated with the Latin name Maximus, used in ancient Rome.
How Do You Pronounce Max?
Pronunciationmaks
Syllables1
What Is the History of the Name Max?
- History
- The name Max has been used as both a standalone given name and a short form for names like Maximilian and Maxwell in various cultures influenced by Latin.
Max Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 41 | #3,645 |
| 2025 | Boys | 2,025 | #180 |
| 2024 | Girls | 45 | #3,459 |
| 2024 | Boys | 2,126 | #175 |
| 2023 | Girls | 73 | #2,442 |
| 2023 | Boys | 2,205 | #163 |
| 2022 | Girls | 52 | #3,123 |
| 2022 | Boys | 2,389 | #157 |
| 2021 | Girls | 53 | #3,069 |
| 2021 | Boys | 2,410 | #160 |
| 2020 | Girls | 71 | #2,441 |
| 2020 | Boys | 2,486 | #147 |
| 2019 | Girls | 28 | #4,773 |
| 2019 | Boys | 2,755 | #137 |
| 2018 | Girls | 56 | #2,928 |
| 2018 | Boys | 2,878 | #136 |
| 2017 | Girls | 42 | #3,627 |
| 2017 | Boys | 3,145 | #128 |
| 2016 | Girls | 54 | #3,060 |
| 2016 | Boys | 3,423 | #118 |
| 2015 | Girls | 23 | #5,653 |
| 2015 | Boys | 3,422 | #117 |
| 2014 | Girls | 14 | #8,053 |
| 2014 | Boys | 3,497 | #112 |
When Was Max Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
2009 · Boys
3,958 recorded births
National rank #104
2011 · Boys
3,956 recorded births
National rank #96
2010 · Boys
3,848 recorded births
National rank #98
2012 · Boys
3,697 recorded births
National rank #105
Where Max Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| DC | #39 | 18 |
| AK | #76 | 10 |
| NJ | #100 | 98 |
| ND | #107 | 11 |
| MT | #109 | 11 |
| NY | #116 | 156 |
| UT | #119 | 44 |
| RI | #125 | 9 |