Max - Names
Meaning of the name Max
Gender:
Male
Meaning:
The greatest (from Latin: maximus)
History & etymology:
Max is a short form of Maximilian or Maxwell as well as a separate name in its own right.
Maximilian is the name of Roman origin. It was derived from a surname (and later a name, too) Maximus, meaning ‘the greatest’. As a surname or byname, Maximus was borne by a number of ancient Roman generals, philosophers and Christian patriarchs.
Maxwell emerged as a Scottish surname and subsequently it came into use as a given name, too. It is a combination of the name Mack (short form of the Roman name Magnus, meaning ‘great’) and Old English word wella: ‘stream’.
One of a number of the possible patron saints of the name is St. Maximilian Kolbe. He was a 20th century priest of Polish descent. When he was a young boy, he had a vision of Virgin Mary giving him two crowns: a red and a white one. Red color stood for martyrdom and white for purity. This prophecy came true, as Maximilian remained a priest devoted to God even at the time of World War II and was martyred in a concentration camp.
During his stay in Auschwitz, random men were chosen to suffer death by starvation. Maximilian was not chosen but volunteered to die instead of a man who had a wife and children. He died on 14th August and was cremated the next day: on the day of Assumption of Mary.
Alternative spellings & nicknames:
Related names: Maximilian, Maxwell, Maximus, Magnus
Similar names in other languages & name days:
Austria
12th March, 14th August, 12th October: Maximilian
Czech Republic
29th May: Maximilián
Germany
17th April: Max
21st August, 12th October: Maximilian
Poland
29th May, 12th October, 27th November: Maksymilian
Slovak Republic
12th October: Max, Maximilián
Sweden
1st February: Max
USA
10th May: Max, Maximilian, Maximus, Maxwell
Famous people named Max:
Max Adler (1986-) - American actor
Max Carver (1988-) - American actor
Max Charles (2003-) - American actor
Max Ehrich (1991-) - American actor
Max Frost (1992-) - American singer
Max George (1988-) - English pop singer
Max Green (1984-) - American bassist
Max Hamilton (1995-) - English model
Max Irons (1985-) - English actor
Max Joseph (1982-) - American reality show star
Max Lloyd-Jones (1991-) - English actor
Max Martin (1971-) - Swedish music producer
Max Pacioretty (1988-) - American hockey player
Max Planck (1858 – 1947) - German scientist
Max Whitlock (1993-) - English gymnast
Fun facts:
Popularity (2015)
USA: 118th
England and Wales: 28th
Canada: 60th
Australia: 23rd
New Zealand: 13th
Ireland: 43rd
Northern Ireland: 22nd
Scotland:: 17th
Czech Republic: 55th
France: 253rd
Netherlands: 11th
Norway: 73rd
Slovenia: 76th
Sweden: 46th
Switzerland: 63rd
Lucky colors: blue, green
Lucky stone: Emerald
Ruling planet: Uranus
Characteristics: caring, calm, resilient, strong-willed, perceptive
Feminine form of Max is Maxine.
Pontifex Maximus was a title of the priest who was the highest in rank in the ancient Roman College of Pontif.