Maxwell

Pronunciation: [ m-AKSW-ehl ]

Boy Name #182 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A Scottish noble name with the perfect nickname: Max

Scottish English American

Strong Classic Sophisticated Traditional Bold

Meaning & Origin

"Mack's spring, great stream"

Origin: Scottish

Language: Old English

"great well"

Origin: Anglo-Saxon

Language: Old English

The Story of Maxwell

Maxwell is a Scottish place name and surname meaning Mack's spring or great stream, combining the personal name Mack (itself from Magnus, Latin for great) with Old English wella (spring, stream). The Maxwell clan was one of Scotland's most powerful noble families. As a first name, Maxwell brings both aristocratic heritage and the appealing nickname Max.

Maxwell has been climbing steadily in the US since the 1990s, often driven by parents who love Max but want a fuller formal name on the birth certificate. It entered the Top 100 around 2014 and has remained there, benefiting from the vintage British name revival.

The Maxwell clan held vast lands in southern Scotland for centuries. James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879), one of the greatest physicists in history, gave the name lasting intellectual prestige in the scientific community.

Fun Facts

James Clerk Maxwell formulated the theory of electromagnetism, which Einstein called the greatest advance in physics since Newton
Maxwell Smart is the bumbling but lovable spy of the 1960s TV show Get Smart
The Maxwell House coffee brand was named after the Maxwell House hotel in Nashville

Maxwell in Other Languages

French Maxwell

German Maxwell

Italian Maxwell

Spanish Maxwell

Scottish Gaelic Macsail

Famous People Named Maxwell

Maxwell (singer)

Musician

1973

American R&B singer known for neo-soul hits like Ascension

James Clerk Maxwell

Scientist

1831

Scottish physicist who formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation

Maxwell Smart Fictional

Other

Fictional bumbling secret agent protagonist of the TV show Get Smart (1965-1970)

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #182
Total SSA Count: 2,021
Cultural Origins: Scottish English American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: High

Common Nicknames

Max Maxi

Pairs Well With

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

Sibling Names

Eloise Charlotte Harrison Theodore Adelaide Beckett

Also a Girl Name

Maxwell is also used as a girl name, ranked #4819.

View Maxwell as a girl name →

Similar Names

Michael Jack Matthew Mack Mitchell Micheal Zack Rex

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Maxwell

What does the name Maxwell mean?

"Mack's spring, great stream" (from Scottish). "great well" (from Anglo-Saxon). Maxwell is a Scottish place name and surname meaning Mack's spring or great stream, combining the personal name Mack (itself from Magnus, Latin for great) with Old English wella (spring, stream). The Maxwell clan was one of Scotland's most powerful noble families. As a first name, Maxwell brings both aristocratic heritage and the appealing nickname Max.

What is the origin of the name Maxwell?

Maxwell has Scottish, Anglo-Saxon, English, and American origins. In Scottish, it means "Mack's spring, great stream". In Anglo-Saxon, it means "great well".

Is Maxwell a boy or girl name?

Maxwell is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #182. As a girl name, it is ranked #4819. Maxwell is more commonly used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Maxwell?

Maxwell is pronounced m-AKSW-ehl.

How popular is the name Maxwell?

Maxwell is currently ranked #182 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Maxwell?

Common nicknames for Maxwell include Max and Maxi.

What are good middle names for Maxwell?

Popular middle name pairings include Maxwell James, Maxwell Thomas, Maxwell William, Maxwell Alexander, Maxwell Charles, and Maxwell Henry.

What are good sibling names for Maxwell?

Names that pair well with Maxwell as siblings include Eloise, Charlotte, Harrison, Theodore, Adelaide, and Beckett.

How many syllables does Maxwell have?

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

Is Maxwell a common or rare name?

Maxwell is a popular name, ranked #182 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Maxwell

Maxwell is a boy name with Scottish, English, and American origins . The name means "Mack's spring, great stream" in Scottish .

Is Maxwell a boy or girl name? Maxwell is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #182 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #4,819. Maxwell is more commonly used as a boy name.

Maxwell is currently ranked #182 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Maxwell has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AKSW-ehl, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

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