Maxwell
From an earlier form Mackeswell, meaning "Mack's well or spring", from Old English welle (“well”).
Every Maxwell since 1880 — 109,467 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Maxwell
Maxwell is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #189 in 2025 with 1,924 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 109,467 American babies have been named Maxwell. Its peak came in 2014, when 3,773 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Maxwell stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Maxwell year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | #7,375 | 1,924 | #189 |
| 2024 | 28 | #4,851 | 2,024 | #182 |
| 2023 | 44 | #3,559 | 1,992 | #182 |
| 2022 | 52 | #3,149 | 2,183 | #173 |
| 2021 | 49 | #3,283 | 2,380 | #162 |
| 2020 | 54 | #2,997 | 2,513 | #146 |
| 2019 | 56 | #2,951 | 2,637 | #147 |
| 2018 | 61 | #2,803 | 2,907 | #134 |
| 2017 | 66 | #2,650 | 3,081 | #133 |
| 2016 | 60 | #2,851 | 3,585 | #111 |
| 2015 | 40 | #3,824 | 3,553 | #113 |
| 2014 | 34 | #4,329 | 3,739 | #107 |
| 2013 | 26 | #5,253 | 3,643 | #108 |
| 2012 | 8 | #13,023 | 3,233 | #114 |
| 2011 | — | — | 3,056 | #133 |
| 2010 | 5 | #18,874 | 3,015 | #133 |
| 2009 | — | — | 3,080 | #132 |
| 2008 | 5 | #19,464 | 3,058 | #134 |
| 2007 | 6 | #16,857 | 2,713 | #153 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19,048 | 2,792 | #149 |
| 2005 | — | — | 2,810 | #140 |
| 2004 | 15 | #7,693 | 2,927 | #136 |
| 2003 | 8 | #12,008 | 3,086 | #132 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14,782 | 3,036 | #129 |
| 2001 | 7 | #12,965 | 3,183 | #124 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12,657 | 3,364 | #113 |
| 1995 | 5 | #14,908 | 1,838 | #178 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,953 | 1,624 | #189 |
| 1985 | — | — | 467 | #383 |
| 1980 | — | — | 189 | #635 |
| 1975 | — | — | 102 | #826 |
| 1970 | — | — | 71 | #954 |
| 1965 | — | — | 65 | #923 |
| 1960 | — | — | 59 | #1,004 |
| 1955 | — | — | 90 | #768 |
| 1950 | — | — | 63 | #867 |
| 1945 | — | — | 52 | #874 |
| 1940 | — | — | 59 | #816 |
| 1935 | — | — | 75 | #700 |
| 1930 | — | — | 98 | #624 |
| 1925 | — | — | 113 | #593 |
| 1920 | — | — | 120 | #569 |
| 1915 | — | — | 176 | #404 |
| 1910 | — | — | 41 | #429 |
| 1905 | — | — | 23 | #473 |
| 1900 | — | — | 22 | #503 |
| 1895 | — | — | 13 | #594 |
| 1890 | — | — | 15 | #502 |
| 1885 | — | — | 8 | #742 |
| 1880 | — | — | 9 | #668 |
Famous people named Maxwell
- Maxwell D. Taylor Politician · 1901–1987
- Maxwell Soccer player · b. 1981
- Maxwell Anderson Writer · 1888–1959
- Maxwell T. Masters Biologist · 1833–1907
- Maxwell Holt Volleyball player · b. 1987
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maxwell mean?
From an earlier form Mackeswell, meaning "Mack's well or spring", from Old English welle (“well”).
How popular is the name Maxwell in 2025?
Maxwell ranked #189 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 1,924 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Maxwell?
109,467 babies have been named Maxwell in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Maxwell most popular?
Maxwell peaked in 2014, when 3,773 newborns received the name.
Is Maxwell a boy or girl name?
Maxwell is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Maxwell rising or falling?
Maxwell is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Maxwell?
Well-known people named Maxwell include Maxwell D. Taylor (politician), Maxwell (soccer player), Maxwell Anderson (writer).