The nameMaëlys

Meaning

Maëlys joins Maël, from the Breton mael, "prince, chief", to an ending that recalls the fleur-de-lys. It is often explained as "princess", but it is a recent creation.

Origin

French creation of Breton inspiration. It is also spelled Maélys or Maëlis.

History

Almost unknown before the 1990s, Maëlys rose fast and peaked around 2009, part of the fashion for Breton-sounding names such as Maël, Maëlle and Nolwenn.

Maëlys in other languages

Maëlys is a French creation of the late 20th century, with no equivalent in other languages. It is also spelled Maélys or Maëlis.

Popularity of the name Maëlys

Maëlys in France

Maëlys was most popular in France in the 2010s, with 21,210 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Maëlys. Its rise began around 1997, and it peaked in 2009. Half of all babies named Maëlys in France were born before 2010, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 590 births a year on average, against 1,199 in the five years before.

Maëlys in Belgium

Maëlys was most popular in Belgium in the 2010s, with 856 births over the decade, 59% of all recorded babies named Maëlys. Half of all babies named Maëlys in Belgium were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 37 births a year on average, against 63 in the five years before.