Maximilian
Maximilian is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Greatest.
Origin and history
Maximilian is derived from the Roman family name Maximilianus, which itself stems from Maximus, meaning 'greatest'. It gained immense popularity among European royalty following the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. In the United States, it remains a classic, distinguished choice with steady modern usage.
Popularity in the United States
18,940 babies in the United States have been named Maximilian since 1880. It ranks #851 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #549.
States where it is most popular
- CA (20.1 %)
- NY (11.6 %)
- IL (8.1 %)
- TX (7.2 %)
- FL (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 54 |
| 1920-1930 | 39 |
| 1930-1940 | 12 |
| 1940-1950 | 5 |
| 1950-1960 | 12 |
| 1960-1970 | 102 |
| 1970-1980 | 260 |
| 1980-1990 | 928 |
| 1990-2000 | 2,761 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,101 |
| 2010-2019 | 6,508 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,153 |
Famous people named Maximilian
- Maximilian I: Monarch, Emperor
- Maximilian Schell: Actor, Director
Nicknames
Max, Maxi
Fun facts
- Emperor Frederick III created the name for his son Maximilian I by combining the names of two famous Roman generals, Scipio Aemilianus and Fabius Maximus.
- Saint Maximilian Kolbe is widely revered in Catholic tradition for voluntarily taking the place of a stranger in an execution queue.