Charles vs Maxwell

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Maxwell

Boy #182 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"Mack's spring, great stream"

Origin: Scottish

Cultural Roots

Scottish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#182
Total SSA Count
2,021
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Max, Maxi

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maxwell →

Popularity Comparison

Charles Rank #51
Maxwell Rank #182

Charles is more popular, ranked #51 vs #182 for Maxwell.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Charles ___

  • Charles James
  • Charles William
  • Charles Edward
  • Charles Henry
  • Charles Robert
  • Charles Thomas

Maxwell ___

  • Maxwell James
  • Maxwell Thomas
  • Maxwell William
  • Maxwell Alexander
  • Maxwell Charles
  • Maxwell Henry

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Charles

George Henry Edward Alice Eleanor

If you choose Maxwell

Eloise Charlotte Harrison Theodore Adelaide

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Charles or Maxwell more popular?

Charles is more popular, ranked #51 compared to Maxwell at #182 in the United States.

What do Charles and Maxwell mean?

Charles means "free man" (Germanic origin). Maxwell means "Mack's spring, great stream" (Scottish origin).

Are Charles and Maxwell boy or girl names?

Charles is primarily a boy name. Maxwell is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: Charles ← Full profile: Maxwell Browse all baby names