Maxwell
Maxwell is a boy's name of Scottish origin.
Meaning
Maccus's stream or pool.
Origin and history
Maxwell originated as a Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning Maccus's stream. Historically a well-established clan name in Scotland, it transitioned into a popular given name in the English-speaking world. In the United States, Maxwell has enjoyed steady popularity as a classic yet contemporary choice for boys.
Popularity in the United States
108,732 babies in the United States have been named Maxwell since 1880. It ranks #295 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #172.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.3 %)
- NY (7.2 %)
- OH (5.3 %)
- IL (5.2 %)
- MI (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 72 |
| 1890-1900 | 131 |
| 1900-1910 | 230 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,210 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,158 |
| 1930-1940 | 737 |
| 1940-1950 | 641 |
| 1950-1960 | 723 |
| 1960-1970 | 632 |
| 1970-1980 | 967 |
| 1980-1990 | 5,808 |
| 1990-2000 | 20,909 |
| 2000-2010 | 30,049 |
| 2010-2019 | 32,449 |
| 2020-2029 | 13,016 |
Famous people named Maxwell
- Maxwell: Singer, Songwriter
- Maxwell Perkins: Editor, Publishing Executive
- Maxwell Anderson: Playwright, Author
Nicknames
Max, Wells
Fun facts
- The name comes from Mack's Well, a location on the River Tweed in Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scotland.
- Clan Maxwell was a influential Scottish clan that played significant roles in Scottish border history.
- The single-named R&B artist Maxwell brought modern cultural prominence to the name starting in the 1990s.