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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Max and Maximilian

41 replies

caitlinrose · 03/10/2022 17:01

We haven't really gotten anywhere with our boys list yet as I dislike most of my husband's suggestions and I only have a very short list myself.

A name I've always really liked is Max. I think it's handsome and classic. My husband likes it as well.

What do you think of Max? Would you say it's common where you are? Is it maybe already a bit dated? Most men named Max I've met are now 20-something. But my husband has a thing for names from roughly his own generation (80s/90s) so he doesn't mind. To me it just feels more like a "my own generation" sort of name like Rachel or Sarah (even though not nearly as common).

Another name I was thinking about is Maximilian, Max for short. I think it would give him more options but my husband doesn't like it as much (he doesn't mind, though, as long as he can call him Max) and maybe feels a bit more grown up? On the other hand I'm not sure if I'd ever call him by his full name and Max doesn't feel as incomplete to me as other short forms.

Thoughts on Max and Maximilian? (all other forms are out of the question, we don't care for Maxime, Maxwell etc.).

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ChagSameachDoreen · 04/10/2022 07:10

There are a million Maxes. It's the precursor to today's Teddy. Overused.

Lilacsunflowers · 03/10/2022 21:19

Max is boring and overused. I think it will sound dated soon...

Monkerina · 03/10/2022 21:10

I have a Max (just Max, longer middle name) who is 3. I think it's a classic, strong, no-nonsense name 😊

In the school he and his brother attend there's one Max in nearly every year so it's clearly a fairly popular option in these parts!

resm · 03/10/2022 20:57

I love Max and agree with you that it doesn’t need a longer name on the birth certificate (even though I prefer the likes of Charlie or Alfie to have one).

It’s not dated at all to me. I’ve heard of a few children being called this in recent years, but it’s not overly popular either. Great choice!

ThisShitsBananas · 03/10/2022 20:01

I have a baby Max. He’s just Max. Although I wish I had called him Maximilian because I love it but I thought it was a bit much as his middle name is Alexander.

S25 · 03/10/2022 19:59

Maximus (nn Max)

Luredbyapomegranate · 03/10/2022 19:59

Maximilian (or Maximus) nn Max is great. Nicer than just Max.

It is still popular and certainly not dated.

Pumpkinpatchlookinggood · 03/10/2022 19:43

Maximus.

Pandabeary · 03/10/2022 19:36

I love it! I know a little Max (Maximus). A fantastic strong name that never ages.

littlemisslozza · 03/10/2022 19:23

I like Max. Not a fan of Maximilian though. There are still plenty of young Max's around, i know teenagers and primary aged boys. Not dated in my opinion.

Oblomov22 · 03/10/2022 19:20

I still like Max. It's number 24, was 20. Noah had now replaced Oliver. Teddy is rising, Roman, Arlo and Albie also rising.

tigger1001 · 03/10/2022 19:19

Well, I have a Max, so I'm a little biased😂

We didn't want a longer version, so that's his name. It's not very common here - only know a couple of other Max's.

It was one of two names we agreed on for a boy.

SpuytenDuyvil · 03/10/2022 19:13

How about Maxfield? Like Maxfield Parrish?

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 03/10/2022 18:47

The lovely Welsh boy's name Macsen gives you the option of Macs for short?

KirstenBlest · 03/10/2022 18:35

I like both, but I don't think that Maximilian offers many more options if you don't like Maxim, and aren't planning on using Maximilian

toastofthetown · 03/10/2022 17:23

Max is a total snooze of a name. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s so dull to me. I’m not quite sure it’s dated yet, as it’s still in the top hundred, but it’s definitely feeling tired. It looks like it’s already peaked in England and Wales and is on the way back down the charts now. I feel pretty much the same on Maximilian. Max feels a pretty inevitable nickname, so no less boring IMO. I think Max stands on its own without a nickname.