The term "Maverick" originated from 19th-century U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick, initially referring to unbranded range animals, which subsequently led to its broader meaning of an independent or unconventional entity. Its most recognizable usage in popular culture is as the callsign of Tom Cruise's character Pete Mitchell in the iconic Top Gun film series, including the highly successful 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, and the title of a classic 1994 Western film and television series starring James Garner.

The name also features prominently in technology, lending itself to Apple's OS X Mavericks and Ubuntu's "Maverick Meerkat" (version 10.10), as well as various aircraft designs and the AGM-65 Maverick guided air-to-surface missile. Further diverse applications include an American country music band called The Mavericks, several music albums, and a major entertainment company (Maverick Records). From a discontinued UK chocolate bar and a brand of cigarettes to shotguns, jeans, and specific geographical locations like Maverick County, Texas, "Maverick" has become a pervasive descriptor across numerous fields, highlighting its enduring and varied significance.