Maëlie is a French feminine given name, derived as a feminization of Maël. The name Maël itself comes from the Breton word mael, meaning "prince, chieftain, lord", and is linked to Saint Mael, a 5th-century Breton hermit who lived in Wales. Maëlie thus carries the connotations of nobility and leadership.Variants and Related FormsMaëlie belongs to a family of related names in French and Breton: Maëlle is another French feminine form of Maël, while Maëly, Maëlya, and Maëlys are creative extensions. In Breton, the equivalent is Maela.Usage and Cultural ContextMaëlie is predominantly used in France, where the diaeresis (ë) indicates that the e is pronounced separately from the preceding vowel. The name has gained popularity in recent decades as part of the broader trend for feminine names ending in -lie or -ly. Its variant Maëlle is notably more common, but Maëlie retains a distinct and elegant feel.Meaning: "prince, chieftain" (feminine form)Origin: Breton via FrenchType: First nameUsage regions: France, occasionally elsewhere