Max

Male

Meaning

Greatest

Origin

German

Pronunciation

/mæks/

EDITOR'S NOTE

Emily P.

PupNames.com Contributor

Alright, let's talk Max. Yes, it might seem like the 'vanilla ice cream' of dog names, but hear me out.

Max is actually the trusty Labrador of names. It's classic, friendly, and versatile, as easily applied to a spry Jack Russell as to a dignified Great Dane.

Along with elegance, Max has got a history too – it comes from the Latin 'Maximus', meaning 'greatest'.

And pop culture just loooves Max. Remember Max from The Secret Life of Pets? Or how about 'Mad Max', for those with a taste for the wild side?

Max deserves respect, because it's stood the test of time for a reason. And giving your dog this name is like giving them a cozy, well-loved pair of sneakers – it's comfortable, reliable, and always in style.

Traits associated with the name Max:

Dogs named Max tend to be loving, affectionate, good-natured, and brave. This name is also associated with companionship, and intelligence.

What does it say about you to have a dog named Max?

That you have a fondness for classic names and may have a preference for traditional values.

Is Max a good dog name?

Max is a one-syllable dog name, making it short and snappy. Max is a widely loved dog name for good reason. If you like it, go for it!

Popularity: Overall

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New York City Dog Name Database
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Los Angeles Times 'Top Dogs'

As you can see, Max is one of the world's most popular dog names.

Popularity: Historical Trend

Max was, in the past month, the 21st most viewed dog name on PupNames.com.

As of December 2024, Max is becoming ever more niche with new puppy owners. Our stats suggest that the name is less fashionable than it was at this time last year.

In general, this name has held steady in popularity with PupNames.com visitors.

In the past week, Max was viewed 330 times, and liked 4 times.

Popularity: United States

The map below shows Max's popularity across the United States, according to PupNames data.

Max is most adored in Indiana, North Carolina and Georgia.

By contrast, the name has been shown the least amount of interest in Alaska, South Dakota and New Mexico.

Popularity: Around The World

And this world map shows which countries have the greatest love for the name Max.

Most popular breeds named Max:

  1. German Shepherd
  2. Labrador Retriever
  3. Chihuahua
  4. Rottweiler
  5. Golden Retriever

Famous dogs named Max:

  • literature icon A mongrel named Max was a character in the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss.
  • comics icon A dog named Max appeared in the comic book Lola by Todd Clark.
  • film icon A tibetan mastiff named Max played a role in the movie Man's Best Friend.
  • film icon A rottweiler named Max played a role in the movie Show Dogs.
  • film icon A siberian husky named Max played a role in the movie Eight Below.
  • film icon A belgian sheepdog named Max played a role in the movie Max.
  • film icon A belgian shepherd named Max played a role in the movie Max.
  • film icon A dog named Max played a role in the movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
  • film icon A old english sheepdog named Max played a role in the movie The Little Mermaid.
  • film icon A dog named Max played a role in the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
  • film icon A jack russell terrier named Max played a role in the movie The Secret Life of Pets.
  • film icon A dog named Max played a role in the movie Mickey Mouse universe.
  • television icon A dog named Max featured in the television show Goof Troop.

Max is found in these categories:

posh dog names
posh

Derived from Maximilian, a moniker favored by European royalty.

cute dog names
cute

Popular among adorable canine characters in children's literature and films.

old fashioned dog names
old-fashioned

Popularized in early 20th century, harking back to nostalgic canine classics.

british dog names
british

Commonly used in UK, often short for Maximilian or Maxwell.

movie dog names
movie

He's named after a heroic canine from a popular film franchise.

german dog names
german

Common given name in Germany, derived from Maximilian, meaning "greatest".

playful dog names
playful

The name's simplicity and popularity among pet owners, often associated with energetic and friendly canine personalities.

traditional dog names
traditional

Popular in classic literature and Hollywood canine stars.

disney dog names
disney

Featured in "The Little Mermaid," he's Prince Eric's loyal canine companion.

famous dog names
famous

Popularized by films like "Mad Max" and "The Secret Life of Pets".

hunting dog names
hunting

Max is short, easy to call out, and has a strong, masculine connotation, suitable for a hunting dog.

winter dog names
winter

Associations with the Grinch's loyal pet in the holiday classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

Dog names like Max:

Soldier, or merciful
Free, liberal, generous
Royal Son
God Is Good
Son Of My Right Hand
Lucky, fortunate
Max dog name meaning

Comments icon Comments (2)

Commenter icon
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April Lewis (Texas, United States)
Max is a strong dominant name also a cute playful cuddly name so it's perfect for my dog
June 09, 2022

Commenter icon
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Max (Shanghai, China)
I think that max is def the most popular name around. In fact, there is a beagle named max living right next door! He is def my fave dog around. He loves sticks and always is glad to see me. He is good natured and loves to play.
May 30, 2022

Let us know what you think of Max as a dog name!