Maverick

Maverick is an adjective and noun used to describe an independent-minded or unorthodox person who acts outside the prevailing group. The term originates from the name of Texas rancher Samuel Maverick, who did not brand his cattle in the 19th century; cattle that were not branded were called “mavericks.” Over time, the word came to denote a person who refuses to follow the crowd.

In popular culture, Maverick has been used as a character surname and as titles for works. In television, Bret Maverick and Bart Maverick are main characters in the 1957–1962 Western series Maverick. The series helped popularize the term in American slang. A 1994 film adaptation, Maverick, stars Mel Gibson as Bret Maverick and Jodie Foster; it is loosely based on the television series.

In other media, “Maverick” appears in video games as a class of rogue Reploids known as Mavericks in the Mega Man X series. The term is also used by record labels; Maverick Records, founded in 1992 by Madonna and others, released music by artists such as Alanis Morissette and the Prodigy.

Geographically, the name appears in places and phenomena such as Mavericks, a famous big-wave surfing location near Half Moon Bay, California, and Maverick County in Texas. The term also features in various sports teams as a mascot or nickname.