The name Maximilian derives from the Latin name Maximilianus, which is a combination of the Latin words maximus, meaning "greatest," and miles, meaning "soldier." This name originated in ancient Rome and gained popularity during the Roman Empire.

The earliest known use of the name Maximilian dates back to the 3rd century AD, when it was recorded as the name of a Roman soldier and later a Christian martyr, Saint Maximilian of Tebessa. The name became more widespread in Western Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly in Germanic and Frankish regions.

One of the most notable historical figures with the name Maximilian is Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 to 1519. Born in 1459, he was a member of the House of Habsburg and played a significant role in the Renaissance and the Reformation periods. His reign saw the expansion of the Habsburg domains and the centralization of power within the Holy Roman Empire.

Another famous Maximilian was Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor from 1564 to 1576. Born in 1527, he was known for his religious tolerance and support for the arts and sciences. During his reign, the Protestant Reformation continued to spread, and he sought to maintain peace between the Catholic and Protestant factions within the Empire.

In the 19th century, Maximilian I of Mexico, born in 1832, was a Austrian archduke who briefly ruled as the Emperor of Mexico from 1864 to 1867. His reign was marked by conflict with the republican forces led by Benito Juárez, and he was eventually captured and executed, ending the Second Mexican Empire.

One of the most influential figures in the 20th century with the name Maximilian was Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar born in 1894. He is renowned for his heroic act of offering his life in exchange for another prisoner at the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. He was canonized as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church in 1982.

Maximilian von Spee, born in 1861, was a German naval officer who played a significant role in World War I as the commander of the German East Asia Squadron. His naval campaign in the Pacific and the Battle of Coronel off the coast of Chile in 1914 made him a prominent figure in naval history.