Princess or chief; pearl
Maeli is a modern name with multiple potential roots. It is often considered a variant of the Breton name Maëlle, meaning 'princess' or 'chief,' or a diminutive form of the French name Maëlys. In some contexts, it is also associated with the name Margaret, which means 'pearl.'
Less common today
Maeli isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #4,326 in 2025.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
