Maximus is a strong, robust name of Latin origin, meaning 'greatest' or 'largest'. It was popular among early Christians and was borne by several saints, including Maximus the Confessor, a theologian who lived in the 7th century. The name Maximus has also been used throughout history by various notable figures, such as Emperor Maximinus I of the Roman Empire. In literature, it is famously associated with the protagonist of 'Gladiator', a fictional character played by Russell Crowe, which may have contributed to its recent popularity.
"Maximus saw its popularity peak in 2012 with seven births that year. After a dip to five births in 2015, it maintained the same level of five births in 2017. Overall, there have been seventeen children named Maximus since 2012."