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HomeBaby Names DirectoryMaximillian

Maximillian

♂ Boy

Pronounced mak-suh-MIHL-yuhn /mæk.sə.ˈmɪl.jən/Medium

Meaning: GreatestMedium

In 30 seconds: Maximillian is an English form of a Latin-rooted name meaning 'greatest', from the same family as Maximus.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningGreatest
U.S. rank (2025)#1845 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births86 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1999
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,966

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 199919142025

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

The name carries the meaning 'greatest', built on the Latin element behind Maximus, which appears among its variations. The fuller forms Maximilianus and Maxentius show its Roman-era roots, while Maxim and Maksim are the trimmer Slavic versions in modern use.

Its length gives it a grand, formal weight, and it readily shortens in everyday speech. Bearers include Maximilian of Baden, the last Chancellor of the German Empire in 1918, and the Austrian-Swiss actor Maximilian Schell, who won an Academy Award for 'Judgment at Nuremberg'.

Did you know? Maximillian is a spelling variant of Maximilian, so it keeps the same core meaning of 'greatest' while changing the visual style.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Maximillian — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

MaxentiusMaximilianusMaximusMaksimMaxim

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

  • Maximilian of Baden (1867–1929)
    Last Chancellor of the German Empire in 1918.
  • Maximilian Schell (1930–2014)
    Austrian-Swiss actor; Academy Award winner for 'Judgment at Nuremberg' (1961).

If you like Maximillian…

Maximus— A listed variation and the core 'greatest' element at the heart of Maximillian.
Maxim— A listed shorter form of the same name used widely in Slavic countries.
Maksim— A listed variation of Maximillian, the Russian-style spelling of Maxim.
Tylan— another English name
Coleman— shares Maximillian's English roots

Explore names like Maximillian

By themeenglish

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Maximillian mean?

Maximillian is usually explained as meaning 'greatest' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Maximillian?

It's commonly said mak-suh-MIHL-yuhn /mæk.sə.ˈmɪl.jən/.

Is Maximillian a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Maximillian is used as a boy name.

How popular is Maximillian?

In 2024, Maximillian ranked #2160 in the U.S. for boys, with 68 births recorded.

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