"princess, chief"
Origin: Celtic
Language: Breton
Maela
Does Maela flow with your last name?
A Celtic princess name from ancient Brittany
Breton
French
Celtic
Elegant
Whimsical
Vintage
Sophisticated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"noble, prince (feminine)"
Origin: Celtic
Language: French
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Maela
Maela is a Breton feminine name derived from the Celtic root mael meaning prince or chief. It is the feminine form of Mael, which also appears in Breton saints names like Maël and in place names across Brittany, the Celtic region of northwestern France. The name carries the ancient dignity of the Celtic aristocratic class.
Maela is a rare but growing name, particularly popular in Brittany (France) and among parents seeking authentic Celtic names. It has seen gentle growth in France in the 2010s as part of a Breton cultural revival and an interest in less common French names.
Brittany has a strong Celtic identity distinct from the rest of France, and Breton names like Maela represent that cultural pride. The mael root also appears in the Welsh name Mael and the Cornish tradition, connecting it to the broader pan-Celtic cultural sphere.
Historical Record
Maela first appeared in US Social Security records in 2002.
Over 391 babies have been named Maela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maela is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,548 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Maela comes from the Breton word for prince or chief
- Brittanys Celtic culture has its own distinct naming traditions separate from mainstream French names
- The mael root appears in dozens of Breton place names and saints names
Maela in Other Languages
Welsh
Maela
Breton
Maela
French
Maëla
Popularity Over Time
#2,548
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maela
M
Maëla Bazin
Musician
1992
French singer-songwriter known for her indie folk music
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Compare Maela with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,548
- Total SSA Count
- 70
- Cultural Origins
- Breton French Celtic
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mae
Mia
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maela
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maela
What does the name Maela mean?
"princess, chief" (from Celtic). "noble, prince (feminine)" (from Celtic). Maela is a Breton feminine name derived from the Celtic root mael meaning prince or chief. It is the feminine form of Mael, which also appears in Breton saints names like Maël and in place names across Brittany, the Celtic region of northwestern France. The name carries the ancient dignity of the Celtic aristocratic class.
What is the origin of the name Maela?
Maela has Celtic, Breton, and French origins. In Celtic, it means "princess, chief". In Celtic, it means "noble, prince (feminine)".
Is Maela a boy or girl name?
Maela is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Maela?
Maela is currently ranked #2548 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maela?
Common nicknames for Maela include Mae and Mia.
What are good middle names for Maela?
Popular middle name pairings include Maela Rose, Maela Sophie, Maela Claire, Maela Louise, Maela Elise, Maela Anne, and Maela Margot.
What are good sibling names for Maela?
Names that pair well with Maela as siblings include Elowen, Tristan, Isolde, Gavin, Anwen, Morgan, and Rowan.
How many syllables does Maela have?
Maela has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Maela a common or rare name?
Maela is an uncommon name, ranked #2548 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Maela?
About the Name Maela
Maela is a girl name with Breton, French, and Celtic origins . The name means "princess, chief" in Celtic .
Maela is currently ranked #2,548 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maela has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Maela include Mae and Mia. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maela include Maelynn, Maelyn, Maelani, Maelee, Maelie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis