Maxx

Maxx is an elaboration of Max, which is the short form of Maximus, Maxim, Maximilian, Maxwell or any name starting with the Max prefix (including the feminine Maxine). Almost all Max names are derived from the Latin cognomen “Maximus” which is Latin for “greatest” (a superlative of “magnus” meaning “great, large”). It’s from the same place we get our English word “maximum”. Not surprisingly, the cognomen Maximus was generally reserved for the aristocracy (a cognomen was an ancient clan name in Rome’s three part naming system; cognomens generally found their origins in nicknames). Obviously, the name Maximus (i.e., greatest) is one of the least humble of all the Old Roman family names. Lesser folks need not apply. The pet form of Max has long been used as an independently given name in its own right among English-speaking nations and elsewhere. Today, the name Max is quite common throughout the British Isles as well as Australia, Canada and the United States. Max is also a favorite among some of the Scandinavian countries, in particularly the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. The cheeky spelling of Maxx (with two “x”s) is pretty modern and used primarily in the United States.