Maxwell: Name Meaning, Origin, and Popularity

Pronunciation: ma-hkswe-hll
Origin: United Kingdom
gender-male

Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Aug 14, 2024 · 2 mins read
Region Origin: Northern Europe
Meaning: Stream

Maxwell is a predominantly Scottish boy's name that has its origins dating back to the 12th century when the Clan Maxwell resided near a small pool on the River Tweed called Maccus Well. The name is derived from the Scottish surname Mack, a short form of the Scandinavian name Magnus, combined with Old English wella, meaning "stream". The meaning of Maxwell can vary depending on its origins, with the English meaning being "capable" and the Latin meaning "great". The name Maxwell has enjoyed a steady popularity in the last 20 years, ranking in the top 150 names until recently. Its popularity spiked when celebrities like Lance Armstrong and Jessica Simpson chose the name for their children. Pronounced as "MACK-swell", Maxwell has traditionally been a masculine name but has been used for girls as well in recent times.

Maxwell Name Popularity Data

chat-overall Maxwell is currently #255 in the popularity of the name rankings.
gender-female Boy: Maxwell is currently #255 on Kiindred Boy Names
gender-male Overall Unique: Maxwell is currently #252 on Kiindred Unique Names
gender-male Boy Unique: Maxwell is currently #252 on Kiindred Boy Unique Names

Popularity Trend Chart

Parents Who Like the Name Maxwell Also Like:

Parents who like the name Maxwell often have similar name preferences and tend to choose popular choices like:

Famous People Named Maxwell

This section lists notable individuals and public figures named Maxwell, showcasing their achievements and contributions in various fields.

  • Maxwell: Maxwell, born Gerald Maxwell Rivera, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his contributions to the neo-soul music movement.
  • Maxwell Caulfield: Maxwell Caulfield is a British-American actor known for his roles in "Grease 2," "The Colbys," and "Dynasty."
  • Maxwell Perkins: Maxwell Perkins was an American book editor who worked with notable authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe. He passed away in 1947.
  • Maxwell Taylor: Maxwell D. Taylor was a senior United States Army officer and diplomat who served as the fifth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He passed away in 1987.

Wikipedia, NSW Births Deaths and Marriages, QLD Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, WA Registry of Births, SA Registry of Births, VIC Registry of Births