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Home › Baby Names Directory › Maxwell

Maxwell

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAKS-wel /ˈmæks.wɛl/High

Meaning: From a Scottish surname — 'Mack's stream/pool' (from a personal name plus 'well', a spring/stream); here for girlsMedium

In 30 seconds: Bold and modern: Maxwell is the Scottish surname 'Mack's stream' — distinguished and strong, with the spunky nickname Max. Here for girls, fresh and cool.
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Origin MediumScottish
MeaningFrom a Scottish surname — 'Mack's stream/pool' (from a personal name plus 'well', a spring/stream); here for girls
U.S. rank (2024)#4831 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births28 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 720

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719172024

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

Maxwell comes from a Scottish surname and place-name — 'Mack's stream/pool' (from a personal name plus wella, 'spring, stream'). A distinguished surname-name (physicist James Clerk Maxwell) with the nickname Max, used increasingly for girls, here covered honestly.

It registers thinly for girls. Rare for girls, Mack's-stream at the root, and bold.

Did you know? Maxwell means 'Mack's stream' or 'Mack's pool' (a Scottish surname/place) — increasingly used for girls with the spunky nickname Max (physicist James Clerk Maxwell).
Overall data confidence 68%
Behind the Name — Maxwell — root etymology

Variations

MaxMaxine

Nicknames

MaxMaxie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Maxwell…

Max— the built-in nickname
Maxine— a fellow Max- girls' name
Wells— a companion -well surname-name
Emerson— another surname-name for girls

Explore names like Maxwell

By themeunisexsurname-namescottish
By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Maxwell mean?

Maxwell is Scottish for 'Mack's stream/pool'.

How do you pronounce Maxwell?

It's said MAKS-wel /ˈmæks.wɛl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Maxwell a boy or girl name?

Maxwell is mostly a boys' name; this page covers its growing use for girls.

How popular is Maxwell?

Maxwell is rare for girls in the U.S.

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