Maxwell is a name of English origin that is derived from the Old Norman surname Maxwell, which was originally used to denote someone who came from the village of Maxwell in Scotland. The name itself is composed of two elements: "Machi", which means "great" or "powerful", and "welle", which means "spring" or "stream". Therefore, the meaning of the name Maxwell is "great spring" or "powerful stream".
The use of the name Maxwell can be traced back to medieval times when it was used as a surname. However, its use as a given name became more popular in the 19th century. Some notable people who have borne the name Maxwell include the Scottish philosopher John Maxwell Coetzee, the American scientist James Clerk Maxwell, and the Canadian singer-songwriter Max Webster.
Today, Maxwell is still used as both a first and last name and has become increasingly popular in recent years. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Maxwell was the 239th most popular boys' name in 2020. Despite its popularity, Maxwell remains a unique and distinctive name that carries with it a sense of strength and power, reflecting its original meaning as "great spring" or "powerful stream".
The name Maxwell has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1987 and 2019, there were a total of 262 babies named Maxwell, with the number of births fluctuating each year.
The highest peak in popularity occurred in 2001, with 21 babies being named Maxwell that year. This was followed by another notable high in 1998 and 1999, with 15 and 13 births respectively. However, there were also years where the name was less common, such as in 2011 and 2012, with only 6 and 7 births each year.
It's interesting to observe how the popularity of the name Maxwell has evolved over time. Despite the fluctuations, it remains a distinctive and unique name choice for parents in the United States.