Maylen
A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "the greatest of May".
Name Census estimates that about 821 living Americans carry the first name Maylen. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Maylen today is around 12 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Maylen births was 2012 (76 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Maylen. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
821
~ 1 in 417,484 Americans
Peak year
2012
76 babies that year
Average age
12
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,003
Tracked since 1989
Popularity
Maylen: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Maylen from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 443 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Maylen remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Maylen by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Maylen during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Maylens live
The SSA's state-level files cover 6 states and territories. Texas, California, Florida recorded the most babies named Maylen, while New Jersey, Arizona, New York recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 46 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Maylen
The name Maylen is a relatively modern name that likely originated in the late 20th century. Its roots can be traced back to the Spanish language, where it is a combination of the names María and Elena. María is a traditional Spanish name derived from the ancient Hebrew name Miryam, which means "beloved" or "wished-for child." Elena, on the other hand, is a Greek name meaning "bright one" or "shining light."
While the exact origin of the name Maylen is unclear, it appears to have gained popularity in the Spanish-speaking world as a unique and melodic fusion of these two classic names. The name is often associated with qualities such as beauty, grace, and radiance, reflecting the meanings of its components.
There are no known historical references to the name Maylen in ancient texts or religious scriptures, as it is a relatively modern creation. However, some notable individuals have borne this name in recent decades, contributing to its growing recognition.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Maylen is Maylen Sener (born 1985), a Turkish singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence in the early 2000s and has released several successful albums, helping to introduce the name to a wider audience.
Another notable figure is Maylen Cuevas (born 1992), a Mexican actress and model. She has appeared in various television shows and films, showcasing her talent and bringing further attention to the name.
In the world of sports, Maylen Hauder (born 1997) is a German professional skateboarder who has competed in numerous international competitions, earning recognition for her skills and determination.
The name Maylen has also found its way into the literary world, with Maylen Villamor (born 1989) being a Filipino-American author and poet. Her works have explored themes of identity, culture, and the immigrant experience, resonating with readers worldwide.
Additionally, Maylen Arce (born 1988) is a Venezuelan actress and model who has graced television screens and magazine covers, adding to the name's visibility and popularity.
While these individuals represent a diverse range of backgrounds and professions, they share a common thread – the unique and melodic name Maylen, which reflects their individual journeys and accomplishments.
People
Maylen + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Maylen as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Maylen: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Maylen?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 821 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Maylen going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 417,484 US residents.
Is Maylen a common name?
We classify Maylen as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 829 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Maylen most popular?
The single biggest year for Maylen was 2012, when 76 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Maylen is about 12 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Maylen a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Maylen in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.