Maxine (given name)

For other uses, see Maxine (disambiguation).
Maxine
Actress Maxine Elliott (1868–1940) was an early influence on the popularity of the name Maxine.
PronunciationEnglish: /ˈmæksiːn/, max-EEN
GenderFeminine
Language(s)English
Origin
MeaningFeminine version of Max
Other names
Related namesMax, Maxen, Maxence, Maxene, Maxfield, Maxi, Maxie, Maxim, Maxima, Maxime, Maximilian, Maximiliana, Maximiliano, Maximina, Maximino, Maximo, Maximus, Maxon, Maxson, Maxton, Maxwell, Maxx, Maxxine
Maxene Andrews (1916–1995), top left, with sisters LaVerne, top right, and Patty, center, performed as the popular singing trio The Andrews Sisters.
Actress Sadie Sink portrayed Maxine "Max" Mayfield in the streaming series Stranger Things.

Maxine is an English feminine given name created as a feminine version of the name Max.[1]

It has been in regular use since the 1880s. Other names with the diminutive suffix -een, -ene, or -ine were also in fashion during the late 19th century and early 20th century.[2]

The increase in usage of the name in the 1890s has been attributed to the popularity of American actress Maxine Elliott, who was born Jessie Dermot. Another early media influence was Maxene Andrews of The Andrews Sisters singing trio. The influence of the Stranger Things character Max Mayfield is partially associated with the increase in popularity of the name since 2017.[3]

  1. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. p. 60. ISBN 0-19-861060-2.
  2. ^ Wattenberg, Laura (3 May 2023). "Today It's Blessyn, A Century Ago It Was ..." namerology.com. Namerology. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  3. ^ Sandel, Abby (15 January 2020). "Maxine: Baby Name of the Day". appellationmountain.net. Appellation Mountain. Retrieved 6 November 2023.