Name Maxwell

Maxwell is a masculine name with Gaelic, Old English, Scottish, Norse origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.

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Meaning of the name Maxwell

Origins and Core Meaning

Maxwell is a Scottish surname with a complex etymology. One theory suggests it derives from the Gaelic words "Mac Suibhne", meaning "son of Swain", a Norse personal name. Another theory traces it to the Old English elements "maegen" (strength) and "w(e)ll" (well), implying "strong well". Regardless of its precise origin, the name Maxwell carries connotations of power, stability, and prosperity.

Detailed Insights on Maxwell

Origins

Scottish, meaning "Son of Swain" - Gaelic origin: Mac Suibhne - Old English origin: Maegen + W(e)ll - It also carries influences from Norse.

Symbolic Representation

The name Maxwell is often associated with the element of water. Water represents adaptability, fluidity, and emotional depth. These qualities align well with the multifaceted nature of the name Maxwell, suggesting a person who can navigate different situations with ease and grace.

Personality Traits

Maxwell evokes a sense of calm confidence and quiet authority. It suggests a person who is capable, reliable, and dependable. The name's underlying strength and stability create a sense of trust and reassurance.

Key Personality Traits

Personal Meanings of the Name Maxwell

  • Although originally believed to be Scottish in origin, the name Maxwell is in fact bastardised German. The name dates back to the 10th century. A local lord of Eil near Koln was ousted by his people and recieving no help from his leige lord he fled to England. On which was promised in return for calming a local war he would recieve the land which would now be Dumfries and Galloway. In succeeding in their task they were justly rewarded with he land as a feif. Wanting to localise themselves they took the name eil of where they were from and instead what would be used to day as in von they toook sons of or son of Mac. And so from it is Gealic Mac Eill.

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  • I LOVE this name. If I have a son, this is certainly what I'm calling him. It is so refined and professional. But as he's younger, I'll definitely be using the nickname Max.

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  • I love the name Maxwell. It's an older name, making a come back. I find it better than any of the variation of Max names. I have a nephew named Maxwell & he clearly gets Max a lot.

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Maxwell Overview & Analysis

Gender statistics

Maxwell is predominantly a boy's name with a strong masculine identity. Among 113,400 people named Maxwell, 113,287 are male and 113 are female resulting in a 99.9% male distribution. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Maxwell's strong masculine identity.

Data Explanation

This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Maxwell's gender association.

Popularity

Maxwell classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 623 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Maxwell is nearly 0.03%, or about one in 3,000+ people.

Popularity and Usage Trends for Maxwell

Based on the latest data from 2021 (23), 2022 (45), 2023 (13), Maxwell's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is -11.75%. The name Maxwell was most popular in 2014, making up 0.12% of baby names (or about one in 800+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 1958 with a usage rate of 0.0002%.

Country-Specific Prevalence
Maxwell Popularity by Country
FlagCountryRankPopularity
Canada3480.05%
United Kingdom3550.05%
New Zealand4090.07%
Australia4650.04%
United States6510.03%

People named Maxwell are predominantly found in New Zealand (NZ), where it constitutes 0.07% of the total population.

Data Source

The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:

To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.

Additional Information on Maxwell

Pronunciation and Phonetics

Name
Maxwell
Pronunciation
  • Max-well
  • maks-wel
  • maxwell
IPA Notation
mæˈkswɛˌl
Syllable
Chinese Translation of the Name Maxwell
Translation
马克斯韦尔
Pronunce
(PinYin) : mǎ kè sī wéi ěr
Feng Shui
WaterWoodMetalEarthFire
Maxwell in Numerology
Maxwell: Name to Numerology Conversion
MAXWELL
15
46533

Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):

Maxwell's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 6

  • You embrace your true self while nurturing others, caring for, and being close to those you love.
  • You aspire to bring love, beauty, and harmony into the world so that everyone can feel happy, loved, and healed.
  • You are driven by beauty, love, family, relationships, and serving and caring for others.

Maxwell's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 3

  • You bring joy and laughter to those around you.
  • You live happily and are the life of the party.
  • You are intelligent, quick-witted, and have a bright appearance.

Maxwell's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 9

  • You are artistic, generous, idealistic, poetic, visionary, and altruistic.
  • You are always inclined to engage in charity, giving, and helping others. You have a keen appreciation for art and beauty.
Famous People Named Maxwell
  • Maxwell Caulfield - American actor known for roles in "Grease 2" and "The Colbys."
  • Maxwell Anderson - American playwright and poet known for works like "Winterset" and "Key Largo."
  • Maxwell Perkins - American editor who helped shape the careers of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.
  • Maxwell Smart - Fictional character in the television series "Get Smart," played by Don Adams.

User-Submitted Information about Maxwell

  • In 2018, 10 is the most common age for an American (U.S.) Maxwell who is registered male with the Social Security Administration. It is the 719th most common male first name for living U.S. citizens.
    PS I think the commenter who calls themself "ihatethenamemaxwell" needs psychiatric help. Reach out to your guidance counselor, friend.

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  • The name Maxwell was given to 66 unfortunate baby GIRLS in 2017!

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  • Maxwell was given to 40 girls in America in 2015.

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Conclusion

Maxwell is a well-rounded name that embodies a balance of strength and sensitivity. It reflects a person who is capable and confident, yet also empathetic and compassionate. The name's rich history and symbolism make it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a moniker with depth and character.

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