Find out how popular the first name Maela has been for the last 22 years (from 2002 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Maela by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Maela is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 54 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Maela.

The history of the first name Maela

The name Maela has its origins in the Scandinavian languages, particularly Swedish and Norwegian. It is derived from the Old Norse word "mær," which means "maiden" or "virgin." The name likely emerged during the Viking Age, between the 8th and 11th centuries, when the Norse peoples inhabited and explored various regions of Europe.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Maela can be found in the Icelandic sagas, which are prose narratives written in Old Norse in the 13th and 14th centuries. These sagas often featured characters with names that reflected the cultural values and beliefs of the time, and Maela may have been used to represent a virtuous or pure woman.

Historically, the name Maela has been associated with several notable figures. In the 12th century, Maela of Älvdalen was a Swedish noblewoman and landowner who played a significant role in the establishment of the Älvdalen monastery. Her name and legacy have been preserved in local folklore and historical records.

In the 16th century, Maela Gramersdotter was a Swedish woman who was accused of witchcraft during the Torsåker witch trials. Although her fate remains unclear, her name has become intertwined with the history of the witch trials and the persecution of women during that period.

Moving forward in time, Maela Viljanen was a Finnish writer and poet born in 1877. She was known for her works that explored themes of nature, love, and the struggles of everyday life in rural Finland. Her poetry collections, such as "Kyntäjän lauluja" (Songs of the Plowman), were widely acclaimed and helped to establish her reputation as a significant literary figure.

In the 20th century, Maela Beckman was a Swedish actress born in 1913. She enjoyed a long and successful career in theater and film, appearing in numerous productions throughout the mid-20th century. Her performances were highly praised, and she was recognized as one of the most talented actresses of her generation in Sweden.

Lastly, Maela Jennings was an American artist and sculptor born in 1930. Her work, which often incorporated found objects and mixed media, explored themes of feminism, identity, and social commentary. Jennings' sculptures and installations were exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States, and she was recognized as a significant figure in the contemporary art world.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Maela was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Maela, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!