Fun Facts About the Name Maela
- 445 babies named Maela: U.S. records list 445 babies given the name Maela from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Maela Mean?
Maela is a feminine given name of Breton origin, traditionally understood to mean "princess." It derives from the Old Breton element mael, meaning "prince" or "chief," which also forms the masculine name Maël. The ending -a marks the feminine form.
The base word's literal sense is "prince" or "chief"; "princess" is the customary feminine rendering in English. The name is distinct from the Irish element máel, meaning "tonsured one" or "devotee," which appears in a separate group of Irish names despite the similar spelling.
Maela Name History & Origins
The name Maela belongs to the Breton language of Brittany, in northwestern France. It is a feminine counterpart of the older masculine name Maël, which is built on the Old Breton element mael ("prince" or "chief"). A saint named Maël is venerated in Brittany, and the masculine name has remained traditional in the region.
Feminine forms developed within Breton naming practice. Maëlle is a traditional Breton feminine name; Maëla is a related form with a diaeresis that marks the vowels as separate in French, and Maela is an unaccented spelling used in French and in other languages. Outside French-speaking areas, the simplified spelling Maela is also used. The name is associated mainly with Brittany and with French-language use, though it appears in other countries as well.
How Popular is the Name Maela?
Maela has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2024. Its best rank was #2,542 in 2024.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #3,054 | 54 | 0.0034% |
| 2024 | #2,542 | 70 | 0.0043% |
| 2023 | #3,064 | 54 | 0.0034% |
| 2022 | #5,892 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2021 | #4,788 | 28 | 0.0017% |
| 2020 | #4,956 | 26 | 0.0016% |
| 2019 | #5,912 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2018 | #8,424 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2017 | #11,255 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2016 | #7,468 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2015 | #7,476 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 2014 | #9,916 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2013 | #6,628 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 2012 | #8,469 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2011 | #10,876 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2010 | #10,925 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2009 | #9,762 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2008 | #9,855 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2007 | #11,318 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2006 | #9,673 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 2002 | #13,071 | 7 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Maela Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have psychic power. You can carry on for others with joy. You have a receptive nature and may bear burdens for others. You are pragmatic, thorough, strong-willed, practical and stubborn at times. You are hard working, often martyr to duty. You like home and security above all. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are seeking freedom, opportunities to enjoy life: to make love, to go places and to do things. You are very adventurous and willing to take risk to achieve your objectives. New ways and new experiences can't satisfy your restless nature. One adventure leads you to another. You are honest and fair, because you know that this is the only way to receive justice and honesty from other people. But your personal growth is vital for you, and it is difficult to be tied down by rules and obligations. Your restless spirit might best controlled by choosing the field of work that meet your demand for action and adventure.
✦ Maela's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Maela's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.