Breton girl name
Maëlys Name Meaning, Origin & Pronunciation
Maëlys means prince, chief. A modern Breton name linked to Maël, from the Breton for prince or chief
Maëlys is a modern Breton name that has become hugely popular in France since the 1990s. It is a feminine creation based on Maël, the old Breton name meaning prince or chief. The two dots over the e show that the a and e are pronounced separately. The sound is soft and flowing, with the stress on the last syllable, and it has an attractive Celtic feel. It appeals to parents who love Brittany and its language, and it is closely related to Maëlle, which is also in use.
Variants of Maëlys
MaelysMaëlisMaelisMaëlle
Maëlys popularity: Ireland vs the US
In 2025 Maëlys ranked #2,636 in the US (66 babies). It is too rare to appear in Irish rankings.
United States (girls)
Rank among babies of the same sex, 1 = most popular (log scale). Ranks below #10,000 sit on the bottom edge. Gaps mean fewer than 3 Irish or 5 US babies that year.
Data: US Social Security Administration (public domain) and Central Statistics Office, Ireland (CC BY 4.0). Irish accented spellings (such as Síle) are only recorded from 2018, so earlier years combine spellings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maëlys mean?
Maëlys means "prince, chief". A modern Breton name linked to Maël, from the Breton for prince or chief.
How do you pronounce Maëlys?
Maëlys is pronounced mah-eh-LEES.
What is the origin of Maëlys?
Maëlys is of Breton origin. A modern Breton name linked to Maël, from the Breton for prince or chief.