Maxwell in Chinese
Maxwell in Chinese is 麦克斯韦 (Mài Kè Sī Wéi).
- Origin
- Scottish
- Meaning
- great stream
Maxwell is a name of Scottish origin, generally understood to mean "great stream". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s.
3 ways to write Maxwell
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
麦克斯韦
Mài Kè Sī Wéi
The standard transliteration of Maxwell: 麦 (mài, "wheat"), 克 (kè, "to overcome; gram"), 斯 (sī, "this (phonetic 's')"), 韦 (wéi, "soft leather (phonetic 'we')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
To fit Mandarin syllable rules, the sounds are broken into 4 characters: 麦 mài + 克 kè + 斯 sī + 韦 wéi. The tone contour is 4-4-1-2 (falling, falling, high level, rising).
Character breakdown
30 strokes total (simplified)- 麦
mài
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
wheat
- 克
kè
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to overcome; gram
- 斯
sī
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
this (phonetic 's')
- 韦
wéi
Tone 2 · 4 strokes (simplified)
soft leather (phonetic 'we')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
弘宇
Hóng Yǔ
Inspired by "great stream": 弘 (hóng, "great, expansive") + 宇 (yǔ, "universe; eaves"), expressing nobility and greatness.
Why these characters?
Because Maxwell is linked to "great", the name leads with 弘 (great, expansive); 宇 (universe; eaves) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
11 strokes total (simplified)- 弘
hóng
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
great, expansive
- 宇
yǔ
Tone 3 · 6 strokes (simplified)
universe; eaves
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
迈弘
Mài Hóng
迈 (mài, "to stride forward") + 弘 (hóng, "great, expansive"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
迈 (mài) sounds close to the opening "max" of Maxwell (compare 麦 mài) but means "to stride forward"; 弘 adds "great, expansive".
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 迈
mài
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
to stride forward
- 弘
hóng
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
great, expansive
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Maxwell
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Maxwell ranked 172 among names recorded for boys, with 13,016 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 90,110 boys named Maxwell since 1880, with the high point in 2014 (3,731 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #189 to #133 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2014
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 90,110
More About Maxwell in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Maxwell offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Maxwell, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Grant in Chinese, Mitchell in Chinese, and Ivan in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Mario in Chinese, Eduardo in Chinese, and Max in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Maxwell, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Maxwell to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Maxwell in Chinese?
麦克斯韦 (Mài Kè Sī Wéi), or 麥克斯韋 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 麦克斯韦 have?
30 strokes in simplified form and 39 in traditional; per character: 麦 7, 克 7, 斯 12, 韦 4.
Is there a Chinese name for Maxwell with real meaning?
Try 弘宇 (Hóng Yǔ): great, expansive + universe; eaves, inspired by "great stream". For something that still sounds like Maxwell, 迈弘 (Mài Hóng) is a middle ground.