What does Max mean?
A short form of Maximilian or Maximus, from the Latin maximus, “greatest.”
What does Felix mean?
The Latin word felix, “happy” or “lucky.”
Max vs Felix
Which is more popular?
Felix is more popular than Max today: about 2,064 US babies were given the name Felix in 2025, compared with 2,025 named Max.
| Max | Felix | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Greatest | Happy, fortunate |
| Origin | Latin | Latin |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | MAKS | FEE-liks |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2009 (3,958) | 2024 (2,090) |
| In 2025 | 2,025 | 2,064 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Max
Felix
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Max | Felix |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 13,641 | 11,654 |
| 2010s | 34,141 | 13,335 |
| 2000s | 27,368 | 7,580 |
| 1990s | 18,216 | 6,294 |
| 1980s | 8,741 | 5,306 |
| 1970s | 4,231 | 5,515 |
| 1960s | 5,023 | 5,749 |
| 1950s | 7,430 | 5,759 |
| 1940s | 8,526 | 4,315 |
| 1930s | 11,757 | 4,199 |
| 1920s | 14,081 | 6,000 |
| 1910s | 10,859 | 4,928 |
| 1900s | 1,567 | 1,108 |
| 1890s | 1,112 | 903 |
| 1880s | 765 | 863 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Max or Felix more popular?
Felix is more popular than Max today: about 2,064 US babies were given the name Felix in 2025, compared with 2,025 named Max.
What is the difference between Max and Felix?
Max means Greatest (Latin origin), while Felix means Happy, fortunate (Latin origin).
Which name is older, Max or Felix?
In US records, Max first appears in 1880 and Felix in 1880, so Max has the longer recorded history.