MAKS

Maks is a masculine given name and, less commonly, a surname. It is most often used as a diminutive or nickname in Slavic and Baltic languages, typically derived from longer names such as Maksim or Maksymilian.

Etymology: Maks derives from Maksim or Maksymilian, themselves from the Latin Maximus, meaning “greatest.” The form Maks is used across several languages as an informal or affectionate version of these names.

Usage and distribution: In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Croatia, Serbia and other parts of Eastern Europe, Maks is used as a standalone given name or as a familiar shortened form. In Polish contexts, it is particularly common as a diminutive of Maksymilian (Maximilian). The name also appears as a surname in some cases, though less frequently.

In culture and media, Maks is encountered as a given name for fictional characters or public figures, reflecting its informal and approachable character. Related names include Maksim, Maksymilian, Maximus, and Maxi, which share the same Latin root and similar meanings.