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Maximus

Boy name · 148 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Maximus: 148 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 13 births in 2012.

A name of Latin origin, Maximus means “greatest” and was traditionally a Roman cognomen, or family name, borne by several emperors, including the third-century ruler Maximus Thrax. Its modern popularity owes much to Russell Crowe’s character Maximus Decimus Meridius in the film *Gladiator*, though the name has been used across Europe for centuries. While no major place is named directly after a Maximus, the Roman Via Maxima and various “Maximian” roads share the same root. Today, Maximus feels both ancient and bold, often shortened to Max. Notable variants include the French Maxim and the Spanish Máximo, and in Scotland it has seen steady use since the 1990s, appealing to parents who want a name with gravitas and a classic Roman pedigree.