Chief or princess
Maelys is a modern feminine form of the Breton name Mael. It is derived from the Celtic word 'mael', which translates to 'chief' or 'prince', making this the feminine equivalent. It has seen a significant rise in popularity in France since the early 2000s.
Less common today
Maelys isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #2,640 in 2025.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
Subject of a high-profile French legal case
