Maxwell
Maxwell is a boys' name of Scottish origin meaning “Mack's stream.” It ranked #189 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Maxwell?
MAKS-wel
where does the name Maxwell come from?
From the Scottish surname, a habitational name from a place near Melrose on the River Tweed. It was recorded in 1144 as Mackeswell, meaning Mack's well, spring or stream, from an Old English word for a well.
A Scottish surname turned first name, from a place on the River Tweed recorded in 1144 as Mackeswell, Mack's spring or stream. It is often chosen as a longer form of Max.
how popular is this name?
Maxwell has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 142 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 4. It peaked at #106 in 1999, and ranked #189 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #189 |
| 2024 | #182 |
| 2023 | #182 |
| 2022 | #173 |
| 2021 | #162 |
| 2020 | #146 |
| 2019 | #147 |
| 2018 | #134 |
| 2017 | #133 |
| 2016 | #111 |
| 2010 | #133 |
| 2000 | #113 |
| 1999 | #106 |
| 1990 | #189 |
| 1980 | #634 |
| 1970 | #951 |
| 1960 | #996 |
| 1950 | #865 |
| 1940 | #810 |
| 1930 | #621 |
| 1920 | #568 |
| 1910 | #421 |
| 1900 | #490 |
| 1890 | #489 |
| 1880 | #640 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Maxwell fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Maxwell
Maxwell has been in the US top 1,000 almost every year since 1880 but was uncommon until the 1980s, when, Behind the Name suggests, it began to be chosen as a full form of Max. It peaked at number 106 in 1999 and ranked 189th in 2025.
who are famous people named Maxwell?
- Maxwell (R&B singer)
- Maxwell Perkins (book editor)
- Maxwell Anderson (playwright)
- Maxwell Caulfield (actor)
what are the nicknames and variants of Maxwell?
Nicknames
what names are similar to Maxwell?
what names go well with Maxwell?
Sibling names that share Maxwell's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Maxwell
What does the name Maxwell mean?
Maxwell means “Mack's stream”.
What is the origin of the name Maxwell?
Maxwell comes from the Scottish naming tradition.
How popular is the name Maxwell?
Maxwell ranked #189 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1999, at #106, and it has spent 142 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Maxwell a boy or girl name?
Maxwell is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Maxwell?
Maxwell is pronounced MAKS-wel, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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