Princess or chief
Maela is a feminine form of the Breton name Maël, which is derived from the Celtic word for 'prince' or 'chief'. It is widely used in modern France and Brittany, offering a softer alternative to more common names while retaining a sense of leadership.
Less common today
Maela isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #2,556 in 2024.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
French novelist and writer
