Boy · 140th of 24,088
Max
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
166,491
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2009
Peak Popularity Year
3,969
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Max stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Max is a name of Latin origin meaning 'greatest', evolving from the name Maximus through history. It reflects strength and modernity, has no biblical relevance, and has gained popularity in the 20th century. Notable people with this name include Max Planck and Max Verstappen.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/mæks/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
Max is derived from the Latin name 'Maximus', meaning 'greatest'.
Meaning
greatest
Language Evolution
Maximus, Max, Maxim
Historical Usage
Max gained popularity as a short form of Maximilian and became widely used in English-speaking countries in the 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Maxim, Maxie, Maxine
Modern Popularity & Image
Max is generally perceived as a strong and modern name, appealing to parents for its simplicity and positive connotation.
Famous People
Max Planck, Max Verstappen, Maxine Waters
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,969 peak births in 2009
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 115th of 7545 | 23,625 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 156th of 6773 | 19,810 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 268th of 7552 | 13,613 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 389th of 10718 | 6,773 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 223rd of 16616 | 20,317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 140th of 24088 | 45,021 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 137th of 23106 | 34,236 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3444th of 9107 | 125 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3722nd of 9204 | 109 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7175th of 12526 | 47 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 14367th of 19264 | 16 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 8942nd of 27321 | 116 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 11045th of 35406 | 135 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 3542nd of 30306 | 530 |