Macsen Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAK-sen //ˈmæksən//
Origin: Welsh; Latin
Meaning: great son (Welsh); from the name Maximus (Latin)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Macsen is of Welsh origin, derived from the Latin name Maximus, which means "greatest." The transition from Maximus to Macsen occurred through the adaptation of Latin into the Welsh language, where the name was modified to fit the phonetic and morphological patterns of Welsh. This transformation reflects a broader trend in which Latin names were assimilated into various languages as the Roman Empire expanded and subsequently receded, leaving a lasting linguistic legacy in regions such as Britain.
Historically, Macsen is associated with the legendary figure of Magnus Maximus, a Roman general who became Emperor in the late 4th century. His reign was marked by significant military campaigns and political intrigue, particularly in relation to the British Isles.
The figure of Macsen is also prominent in Welsh folklore, particularly in the tale of "Macsen Wledig," which is found in the 12th-century collection known as the "Mabinogion." This story recounts the romantic and adventurous exploits of Macsen, intertwining themes of love, destiny, and the supernatural, thereby embedding the name within the cultural narrative of Wales. The name Macsen carries connotations of nobility and strength, resonating with the ideals of leadership and valor that were celebrated in medieval Welsh society.
Its association with the legendary emperor and the romantic tales surrounding him contributed to its enduring presence in Welsh culture. Additionally, the name has a diminutive form, Mac, which has been used affectionately in various contexts.
Overall, Macsen embodies a rich tapestry of historical significance and cultural resonance, reflecting the interplay between language, legend, and identity in Welsh heritage.
Fictional characters named Macsen
The following list of fictional characters named Macsen is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Macsen Wledig is a fictional character from Welsh mythology and literature. He is often depicted as a legendary king and a figure associated with the history of Britain.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Macsen, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Macsen was first seen in the United States in 2002.
Macsen has ranked as high as #1345 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in California, New York, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Macsen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Macsen is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Macsen was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Macsen (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Macsen.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2022 | 33 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2016 | 35 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2014 | 39 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2012 | 26 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 |