Maxine first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Maxine has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Maxine

The feminine form of Maximus, meaning "greatest".

Popularity of Maxine by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Maxine is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 588 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Maxine.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 588
2022 0 481
2021 0 409
2020 0 370
2019 0 347
2018 0 319
2017 0 311
2016 0 309
2015 0 234
2014 0 203
2013 0 237
2012 0 188
2011 0 159
2010 0 161
2009 0 139
2008 0 142
2007 0 138
2006 0 129
2005 0 139
2004 0 150
2003 0 165
2002 0 183
2001 0 206
2000 0 178
1999 0 165
1998 0 187
1997 0 182
1996 0 195
1995 0 181
1994 0 206
1993 0 200
1992 0 196
1991 0 200
1990 0 172
1989 0 173
1988 0 194
1987 0 157
1986 0 125
1985 0 133
1984 0 119
1983 0 110
1982 0 115
1981 0 121
1980 0 110
1979 0 120
1978 0 143
1977 0 120
1976 0 114
1975 0 128
1974 0 132

The history of the first name Maxine

The name Maxine is a feminine given name that has its origins in the French language. It is derived from the Latin name Maximus, which means "greatest" or "largest". The name Maximus was a common Roman name given to boys, particularly in the imperial families.

Maxine first emerged as a distinct feminine form of the name in the late 19th century. It is believed to have been influenced by the popular French names Maxime and Maximilien, which were also derived from the Latin Maximus.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Maxine can be found in the 1891 novel "The Damnation of Theron Ware" by American author Harold Frederic. In the novel, a character named Maxine appears as the daughter of a Catholic priest.

Throughout the early 20th century, the name Maxine gained popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States and Canada. One of the earliest notable individuals with the name was Maxine Elliott (1868-1940), an American actress and theatrical producer.

Another famous Maxine was Maxine Kumin (1925-2014), an American poet and author who won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1973. She was known for her works that explored themes of nature, family, and feminism.

In the world of entertainment, Maxine Andrews (1916-1995) was an American singer and a member of the popular vocal group, The Andrews Sisters. The group was known for their close harmonies and their hits during World War II, such as "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".

Maxine Cooper (1916-2002) was a Canadian dancer and choreographer who founded the Maxine Cooper School of Dance in Toronto. She was a pioneer in the field of modern dance in Canada and was awarded the Order of Canada in 1979.

Maxine Peake (born 1974) is a contemporary British actress known for her roles in various television shows and films, including "Shameless", "Silk", and "The Village". She has received numerous awards and nominations for her performances.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Maxine. The name has endured as a popular choice for girls, with its roots in the Latin language and its association with strength and greatness.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Maxine was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Maxine, please contact us.

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"Maxine first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 4, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/maxine-meaning-and-history/.

"Maxine first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/maxine-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 November, 2024

Maxine first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/maxine-meaning-and-history/.

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