How Many People Are Named Maxwell?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Maxwell

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 5,222 living people in the United States currently have the first name Maxwell. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 5,676 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #482 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~5,222CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)5,676Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#482U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2000 (160 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~5,222
Historical Births (SSA)
5,676
All-Time Rank
#482
Historical Peak
2000

Key Insights for Maxwell

Estimated Living Bearers
~5,222 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#482
Common First Name (Top 500)
Historical Peak Year
2000
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Male
88.6% Male · 11.4% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~653 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Maxwell

Living Population Model
~5,222

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
5,676

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,133

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
21 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2000

Highest annual total: 160 registrations in 2000.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-9%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Maxwell has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Maxwell (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2000 (~160 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
201015313320
201115113120
201214913019
201314712819
201414512619
201514212418
201614012218
201713711918
201813511718
201913211517
202013011317
202112711017
202212410816
202312210616
202411910415

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
3/100
1950s
4/100
1960s
8/100
1970s
16/100
1980s
33/100
1990s
47/100
2000s
98/100
2010s
88/100
2020s
38/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Maxwell has been predominantly masculine (88.6% male vs 11.4% female).

Male: 88.6% (~5,028 births)Female: 11.4% (~648 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Maxwell

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Maxwell in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Maxwell appeared 3,133 times, ranking #377 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,133 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#377
Census Sex Breakdown
92% M · 8% F

Where Is the Name Maxwell Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~653 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~65312.5%
Texas (TX)~4809.2%
Florida (FL)~3556.8%
New York (NY)~3196.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~2094%
Illinois (IL)~2043.9%
Ohio (OH)~1883.6%
Georgia (GA)~1723.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 5,222 people named Maxwell are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 21 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Maxwell: 21 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Frequently Asked Questions About Maxwell

How many people in the U.S. are named Maxwell?

Approximately 5,222 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Maxwell. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 5,676 birth applications for Maxwell between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Maxwell?

Maxwell ranks #482 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This places Maxwell comfortably within the top 500 most widely recognized American names.

When was the name Maxwell most popular in America?

The name Maxwell reached its peak historical popularity in 2000, when 160 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Maxwell?

Maxwell has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Maxwell?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Maxwell has been predominantly masculine (88.6% male vs 11.4% female).

Where is the name Maxwell most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Maxwell resides in California, with approximately 653 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Maxwell in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Maxwell appeared 3,133 times in census returns, ranking #377 in official 2020 returns.

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