"unbranded calf, one who doesn't follow the herd"
Origin: American English
Language: English
Maverick
Pronunciation: [ m-AV-er-ihk ]
Does Maverick flow with your last name?
A name that literally means 'refuses to be branded'
American
English
Australian
Bold
Modern
Unique
Playful
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Maverick
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Maverick
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
We found 1 potential concern.
See full analysis in your reportSimilar to Maverick
See all →What the Maverick report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Maverick the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Maverick
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Maverick head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Maverick actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the 1986 film Top Gun and its 2022 sequel, cementing a hyper-masculine image that may feel odd on girls for some parents
The Story of Maverick
Maverick is an Americanism derived from Samuel Augustus Maverick (1803–1870), a Texas lawyer and cattle rancher who famously refused to brand his cattle. Neighboring ranchers began calling any unbranded calf a 'maverick,' and by extension, the word evolved to mean any independent-minded person who refuses to conform to the rules. It's one of the rare names that came from a real person's quirky behavior becoming part of the language.
Maverick has been rising sharply as a given name since the 2010s, especially for boys, but is increasingly crossing over to girls as parents embrace word-names with attitude. The Top Gun franchise and cowboy chic aesthetic have kept it in the cultural spotlight.
In American culture, the 'maverick' archetype — the lone wolf, the self-reliant outsider — is a deeply romantic ideal tied to frontier mythology. Naming a daughter Maverick is a bold statement about independent spirit and refusal to be defined by convention.
Historical Record
Maverick first appeared in US Social Security records in 2006.
Over 711 babies have been named Maverick in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maverick is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,218 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The word 'maverick' entered the English language directly from a real Texas rancher who lived in the 1800s
- Top Gun: Maverick (2022) was the highest-grossing film in Tom Cruise's career
- Samuel Maverick's grandson was the U.S. Congressman Maury Maverick, who coined the word 'gobbledygook'
Maverick in Other Languages
French
Maverick
German
Maverick
Spanish
Maverick
Japanese
マーヴェリック
Portuguese
Maverick
Popularity Over Time
#2,218
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,218
- Total SSA Count
- 85
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mav
Mavvy
Ricki
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maverick
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Maverick fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Maverick is also used as a boy name, ranked #36.
View Maverick as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Maverick →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Maverick with...
Same Origin Names (American)
See all American names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Maverick
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Maverick and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Maverick sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Mayli
Girl
Hawaiian origin
"fragrant vine, beloved"
#2,207 in US
Zena
Girl
Persian origin
"Woman, feminine"
#2,269 in US
Gina
Girl
Italian origin
"well-born (short form of Luigina/Giov..."
#2,025 in US
Journii
Girl
English origin
"passage, adventure"
#2,165 in US
Reverie
Girl
French origin
"daydream, pleasant fantasy"
#2,292 in US
Elvira
Girl
Visigothic Germanic origin
"foreign, true"
#2,277 in US
Keyli
Girl
Greek via Katherine origin
"pure"
#2,050 in US
Remedy
Girl
Latin origin
"something that heals or corrects"
#2,321 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Maverick's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maverick
What does the name Maverick mean?
"unbranded calf, one who doesn't follow the herd" (from American English). Maverick is an Americanism derived from Samuel Augustus Maverick (1803–1870), a Texas lawyer and cattle rancher who famously refused to brand his cattle. Neighboring ranchers began calling any unbranded calf a 'maverick,' and by extension, the word evolved to mean any independent-minded person who refuses to conform to the rules. It's one of the rare names that came from a real person's quirky behavior becoming part of the language.
What is the origin of the name Maverick?
Maverick has American English, American, English, and Australian origins. In American English, it means "unbranded calf, one who doesn't follow the herd".
Is Maverick a boy or girl name?
Maverick is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2218. As a boy name, it is ranked #36. Maverick is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Maverick?
Maverick is pronounced m-AV-er-ihk.
How popular is the name Maverick?
Maverick is currently ranked #2218 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maverick?
Common nicknames for Maverick include Mav, Mavvy, and Ricki.
What are good middle names for Maverick?
Popular middle name pairings include Maverick Rose, Maverick Jane, Maverick Lee, Maverick Skye, Maverick Grace, Maverick Reese, and Maverick Blake.
What are good sibling names for Maverick?
Names that pair well with Maverick as siblings include Rebel, Harlow, Jett, Ryder, Piper, Phoenix, Scout, and Crew.
How many syllables does Maverick have?
Maverick has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Maverick a common or rare name?
Maverick is an uncommon name, ranked #2218 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Maverick?
About the Name Maverick
Maverick is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "unbranded calf, one who doesn't follow the herd" in American English .
Is Maverick a boy or girl name? Maverick is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,218 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #36. Maverick is more commonly used as a boy name.
Maverick is currently ranked #2,218 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maverick has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-AV-er-ihk, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Maverick include Mav, Mavvy, and Ricki. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maverick include Maven, Mavery . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
American English Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Maverick
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis