Maximilian
Say it: mak-si-MIL-yan[ˈmæksɪmɪljən]
BoyMeans usually linked with Latin maximus (greatest)10 letters4 syllables
#286
in Ireland (2025)
#276 with spellings combined
15
babies in 2025
#150
best rank (2016)
466
babies since 1996
Down 41
10-year rank change
Maximilian through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | #276 |
| 2024 | 14 | #279 |
| 2023 | 16 | #262 |
| 2022 | 18 | #252 |
| 2021 | 13 | #315 |
| 2020 | 13 | #315 |
| 2019 | 19 | #241 |
| 2018 | 17 | #267 |
| 2017 | 23 | #234 |
| 2016 | 41 | #150 |
| 2015 | 23 | #235 |
| 2014 | 26 | #220 |
| 2013 | 34 | #184 |
| 2012 | 21 | #250 |
| 2011 | 33 | #193 |
| 2010 | 29 | #201 |
| 2009 | 20 | #251 |
| 2008 | 14 | #306 |
| 2007 | 11 | #309 |
| 2006 | 13 | #257 |
| 2005 | 10 | #268 |
| 2004 | 7 | #322 |
| 2003 | 11 | #245 |
| 2002 | 9 | #249 |
| 2001 | 6 | #297 |
| 2000 | 3 | #390 |
| 1998 | 4 | #324 |
| 1996 | 3 | #369 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Maximilian mean?
Usually linked with Latin maximus (greatest)
German, from a Latin name, usually explained as a blend of Maximus and Aemilianus.
Say it right
maksiMILyan
The story of Maximilian
Maximilian reached English from German, but its roots are Latin. It is usually explained as a blend of two Roman names, Maximus and Aemilianus, and so it is often linked with maximus, meaning greatest. It has long been rare in English-speaking countries.
In German-speaking lands it was a royal name. The Habsburg emperor Maximilian I made it famous in the late 1400s, and it stayed popular in the family for centuries. Today Max is the usual short form.
In Ireland Maximilian first reached three babies a year in 1996. It grew through the 2000s and 2010s and had its best year in 2016, with 41 boys and a rank of number 150. In 2025, 15 boys were named Maximilian. It has always been rare in Northern Ireland. The CSO counts Max separately, and Max is much the more common name.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Maximilian (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Maximilian
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
Max
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Maximilian | 15 | 466 |
In Northern Ireland
Not in the 2025 list. Best rank #243 (2002); 37 babies since 2000.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.