Maxine

Pronunciation: [ m-aks-EEN ]

Girl Name #521 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A bold Latin name meaning the greatest

English American French

Vintage Bold Sophisticated Strong Classic

Meaning & Origin

"greatest"

Origin: Latin

Language: English

"the largest, supreme"

Origin: Latin

Language: French

The Story of Maxine

Maxine is the feminine form of the Latin name Maximus, meaning 'greatest' or 'the largest,' from the superlative of 'magnus' (great). The name traces back to the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus, nicknamed 'the Delayer' for his cautious strategy against Hannibal that saved Rome. Maxine became a popular feminine coinage in the late 19th century, peaking in English-speaking countries in the 1920s-40s.

Maxine peaked in the US in the 1930s-40s, giving it vintage Hollywood glamour. It is currently experiencing a strong revival among parents seeking powerful, distinctive female names, alongside Max for boys.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters made Maxine synonymous with fierce, unapologetic political advocacy. Queen Máxima of the Netherlands brought the name royal international glamour. The Hallmark Maxine cartoon character gave it a sassy, irreverent personality.

Fun Facts

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, born in Argentina, is one of the world's most glamorous royals
The Maxine cartoon character by Hallmark became an icon for irreverent humor about aging

Maxine in Other Languages

Dutch Máxima

Latin Maxima

French Maxine

Italian Massima

Spanish Máxima

Famous People Named Maxine

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands

Royalty

1971

Argentine-born Queen consort of the Netherlands, wife of King Willem-Alexander, known for her warmth and fashion

Maxine Waters

Politician

1938

Long-serving US Congresswoman from California, known for her passionate advocacy for civil rights and economic justice

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #521
Total SSA Count: 591
Cultural Origins: English American French
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Max Maxi Maxie

Pairs Well With

Maxine Rose Maxine Jane Maxine Claire Maxine Louise Maxine Marie Maxine Pearl Maxine Elise

Sibling Names

Josephine Vivienne Genevieve Theodore Augustus Beatrice Clement

Also a Boy Name

Maxine is also used as a boy name, ranked #11265.

View Maxine as a boy name →

Similar Names

Christina Justine Justina Christy Francine Cristina Kristine Kirsten

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

We found 1 potential concern.

Unlock full report

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Maxine and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Maxine sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name

Browse more girl names →

Explore 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Maxine

What does the name Maxine mean?

"greatest" (from Latin). "the largest, supreme" (from Latin). Maxine is the feminine form of the Latin name Maximus, meaning 'greatest' or 'the largest,' from the superlative of 'magnus' (great). The name traces back to the Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus, nicknamed 'the Delayer' for his cautious strategy against Hannibal that saved Rome. Maxine became a popular feminine coinage in the late 19th century, peaking in English-speaking countries in the 1920s-40s.

What is the origin of the name Maxine?

Maxine has Latin, English, American, and French origins. In Latin, it means "greatest". In Latin, it means "the largest, supreme".

Is Maxine a boy or girl name?

Maxine is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #521. As a boy name, it is ranked #11265. Maxine is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Maxine?

Maxine is pronounced m-aks-EEN.

How popular is the name Maxine?

Maxine is currently ranked #521 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Maxine?

Common nicknames for Maxine include Max, Maxi, and Maxie.

What are good middle names for Maxine?

Popular middle name pairings include Maxine Rose, Maxine Jane, Maxine Claire, Maxine Louise, Maxine Marie, Maxine Pearl, and Maxine Elise.

What are good sibling names for Maxine?

Names that pair well with Maxine as siblings include Josephine, Vivienne, Genevieve, Theodore, Augustus, Beatrice, and Clement.

How many syllables does Maxine have?

Maxine has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Maxine a common or rare name?

Maxine is moderately common, ranked #521 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Maxine

Maxine is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "greatest" in Latin .

Is Maxine a boy or girl name? Maxine is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #521 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #11,265. Maxine is more commonly used as a girl name.

Maxine is currently ranked #521 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Maxine has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-aks-EEN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Maxine include Max, Maxi, and Maxie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.