Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Maximilian

The name Maximilian comes from the Latin “Maximilianus” which is a form of “Maximus” meaning ‘greatest.’ Maximilian became a traditional name among the royal Habsburg family members in Austria-Hungary as well as the royal house of Bavaria. It is thought that Maximilian comes from the blending of two names, in homage to the classical Roman generals – Fabius Maximus and Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus. Fabius Maximus lived in the 3rd century B.C. and made a name for himself during the Second Punic War (Roman Republic vs. Carthage). He was given the nickname “Cunctator” meaning ‘delayer’ because of his “war of attrition” strategy on the Italian battlefield (known as “Fabian Tactics”). The idea was to wear down the enemy over a long period of time rather than through pitched, confrontational battles. He also prevented Hannibal’s army from receiving needed resources while preserving the strength of his own forces. The Romans found this approach rather un-heroic and Fabius Maximus was relieved of his dictatorship. Later, when the Roman army resumed the pitched battle strategy losses were severe and the “Fabian Tactics” were vindicated. Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus was a leading general of the Roman army during the Third Punic War and commanded the final siege of Carthage (present day Tunisia) in the 2nd century B.C. This resulted in the complete destruction of Rome’s long time enemy. Together, the names of these two remarkable Roman generals formed the word for ‘greatness’. Maximilian is currently the #1 male name in Austria (2010), ranked in 6th place in Germany (2011), and it is also on the Top 100 in Sweden.

All About the Baby Name – Maximilian

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME MAXIMILIAN

Romance is the hallmark of the Six personality. They exude nurturing, loving, and caring energy. Sixes are in love with the idea of love in its idealized form - and with their magnetic personalities, they easily draw people toward them. Like the number Two personality, they seek balance and harmony in their life and the world at large. They are conscientious and service-oriented, and a champion for the underdog. These personalities naturally attract money and are usually surrounded by lovely material objects - but their human relationships are always primary. They thrive in giving back to others rather than being motivated by their own desires. This is when they achieve great things. Sixes are natural teachers, ministers and counselors.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME MAXIMILIAN

Maximilian is not a popular name in the United States, and never really has been. It doesn’t even enter the charts until 1986 and still hasn’t gained much ground since then. Max, however, is a popular diminutive of many derivations, so from that perspective the name can be considered popular in America. Maximilian specifically connotes a sense of royalty and greatness (hence the name’s meaning). There is a very sophisticated sound to the name Maximilian that is isolated to parents who either expect greatness from their son, or else simply prefer the erudite and regal sound of the name. It’s so unapologetically pretentious you can’t help but to love it!

Quick Facts

ON MAXIMILIAN

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

Latin

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

4

RANKING POPULARITY:

431

PRONUNCIATION:

max-se-MIL-yen

SIMPLE MEANING:

The greatest

Characteristics

OF MAXIMILIAN

Humanitarian

Community-minded

Family-oriented

Loving

Affectionate

Compassionate

Sensitive

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Maximilian

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MAXIMILIAN

Max is the husband in Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier’s extremely popular 1938 novel. It was later made into an equally popular Hitchcock film, with Laurence Olivier, in 1940. Max is a handsome, rich and sophisticated English landowner and widower, who marries the second Mrs. De Winter after a whirlwind courtship in Europe. She arrives at her new estate with her new husband only to find herself the object of scorn and contempt from Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who revered the late Rebecca, the first Mrs. De Winter. Max harbors secrets he does not divulge to our young heroine, who becomes increasingly distressed and depressed over her inability to live up to the glorious reputation of the first Mrs. Max. All of this has dire consequences, naturally, and the family skeletons are finally revealed just short of absolute disaster for all. Great fun, of its time, and even in today’s feminist world, one might just find the brooding Max de Winter as fascinating as did his meek little bride.

Maximilian is the husband in Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier’s extremely popular 1938 novel. It was later made into an equally popular Hitchcock film, with Laurence Olivier, in 1940. Max is a handsome, rich and sophisticated English landowner and widower, who marries the second Mrs. De Winter after a whirlwind courtship in Europe. She arrives at her new estate with her new husband only to find herself the object of scorn and contempt from Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who revered the late Rebecca, the first Mrs. De Winter. Max harbors secrets he does not divulge to our young heroine, who becomes increasingly distressed and depressed over her inability to live up to the glorious reputation of the first Mrs. Max. All of this has dire consequences, naturally, and the family skeletons are finally revealed just short of absolute disaster for all. Great fun, of its time, and even in today’s feminist world, one might just find the brooding Max de Winter as fascinating as did his meek little bride.

Maximilian Morrel is the son of Monsieur Morrel in Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 adventure novel, “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Brave and honorable like his father, Maximilian becomes Edmund Dantès’s primary beneficiary. Maximilian and his love, Valentine, survive to the end of the story as two good and happy people, personally unaffected by the vices of power, wealth, and position.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MAXIMILIAN

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Maximilian


Popular Songs

ON MAXIMILIAN

We cannot find any popular or well-known songs with the name of Maximilian


Famous People

NAMED MAXIMILIAN

Maximilian I and Maximilian II (royalty)
Maximilian I and Maximilian II (Holy Roman Emperors)
Maximilian of Baden (Chancellor of Germany)
Maximilian Schell (actor)

Children of Famous People

NAMED MAXIMILIAN

Jennifer Lopez;

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MAXIMILIAN

St. Maximilian refused to enter the Roman army because of his Christian beliefs and was thus beheaded – and, as a consequence, martyred. His Feast Day is March 12.