"Mack's spring, great stream"
Origin: Scottish
Language: Old English
Maxwell
Pronunciation: [ m-AKSW-ehl ]
Does Maxwell flow with your last name?
A Scottish noble name with the perfect nickname: Max
Scottish
English
American
Strong
Classic
Sophisticated
Traditional
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Maxwell
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Maxwell
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"great well"
Origin: Anglo-Saxon
Language: Old English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Maxwell
See all →What the Maxwell report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Maxwell 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 Maxwell
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Maxwell head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Maxwell 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
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.
Historical Record
Maxwell first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 102,624 babies have been named Maxwell in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maxwell is a steady classic , currently ranked #182 for boy names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
#182
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Steady Classic
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maxwell
M
Maxwell (singer)
Musician
1973
American R&B singer known for neo-soul hits like Ascension
J
James Clerk Maxwell
Scientist
1831
Scottish physicist who formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation
M
Maxwell Smart Fictional
Other
Fictional bumbling secret agent protagonist of the TV show Get Smart (1965-1970)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →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
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Max
Maxi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Scottish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maxwell
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Maxwell fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Maxwell is also used as a girl name, ranked #4819.
View Maxwell as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Maxwell →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 Maxwell with...
Same Origin Names (Scottish)
See all Scottish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Maxwell
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Maxwell and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Maxwell 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 →
Zayden
Boy
Arabic origin
"growth, abundance (speculative)"
#202 in US
Colton
Boy
Old English place name origin
"from the coal settlement or dark town"
#98 in US
August
Boy
Latin (augustus) origin
"great, magnificent"
#88 in US
Kevin
Boy
Old Irish origin
"gentle, beloved"
#196 in US
Karter
Boy
Old Norse via Old English origin
"cart driver"
#248 in US
Jonathan
Boy
Hebrew (Yahweh + natan) origin
"gift of God"
#83 in US
Luke
Boy
Latin origin
"man from Lucania (region of Italy)"
#34 in US
Elias
Boy
Greek origin
"the Lord is my God"
#25 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Maxwell's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
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.
Keep Exploring
Scottish Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More boy names like Maxwell
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 Boy 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