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Home › Baby Names Directory › Maximilien

Maximilien

♂ Boy

Pronounced mak-sih-MEE-lee-un /ˌmæk.sɪˈmiː.liː.ən/Medium

Meaning: The French form of Maximilian, from Latin Maximilianus, a derivative of Maximus, 'greatest'. The name was popularised in Europe by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I; in France its best-known bearer is Maximilien Robespierre of the Revolution.Medium

In 30 seconds: A grand five-beat name: Maximilien is the French Maximilian, from Latin maximus, 'greatest' (said 'mak-sih-MEE-lee-un').
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Origin MediumFrench, Latin
MeaningThe French form of Maximilian, from Latin Maximilianus, a derivative of Maximus, 'greatest'. The name was popularised in Europe by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I; in France its best-known bearer is Maximilien Robespierre of the Revolution.
U.S. rank (2023)#10399 ↘ Falling
2023 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1998
Total births (all-time)≈ 363

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200819872023

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Maximilien is the French form of Maximilian, from Latin Maximilianus, built on maximus, 'greatest'. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I carried the name across Europe, and Saint Maximilian Kolbe carried it into the twentieth century. In France its most familiar bearer is Maximilien Robespierre of the Revolution; we note that neutrally (said 'mak-sih-MEE-lee-un').

It appears only rarely for boys in the U.S., against wider use of Maximilian and Max. Rare, elegant, and formal.

Did you know? Maximilien is the French spelling that history attaches to Robespierre, a leading figure of the French Revolution — a serious association we note plainly, alongside the name's Latin sense of 'greatest' (said 'mak-sih-MEE-lee-un').
Overall data confidence 70%
References — Maximilien — French form of Maximilian, Latin maximus 'greatest'; Robespierre association

Variations

MaximilianMaximilianoMassimiliano

Nicknames

MaxMilo

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Maximilien…

Maximilian— the standard form of this name
Maximus— the Latin root name
Sebastien— a like French formal pick
Marten— shares Maximilien's Latin roots
Macsen— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Maximilien

By themelatinclassicfrenchformal
By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Maximilien mean?

Maximilien is the French form of Maximilian, from Latin Maximilianus and maximus, 'greatest'.

How do you pronounce Maximilien?

It's said mak-sih-MEE-lee-un /ˌmæk.sɪˈmiː.liː.ən/ — five syllables, stress on the third.

Is Maximilien a boy or girl name?

Maximilien is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Maximilien?

Maximilien is extremely rare for boys in the U.S., though Maximilian and Max are far more familiar.

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