Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Maille

Maille

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Maille

Pronounced MAW-lyuh /ˈmɑːl.jə/Low

Meaning: Maille is a traditional Irish form of Mary, related to Maire and to Molly; it descends ultimately from the Hebrew Miriam, whose meaning is debated but often given as beloved, wished-for child, or bitterness.Low

In 30 seconds: Maille is an Irish form of Mary, from Maire and Miriam. It reached a small number of United States girls in the mid two-thousands (said MAW-lyuh, sometimes anglicized MAY-lee).
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowIrish
MeaningMaille is a traditional Irish form of Mary, related to Maire and to Molly; it descends ultimately from the Hebrew Miriam, whose meaning is debated but often given as beloved, wished-for child, or bitterness.
U.S. rank (2014)#15816 ↗ Rising
2014 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 189

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200419942014

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Maille is a genuinely Irish form of Mary, kin to Maire and Molly, reaching back through Latin Maria to the Hebrew Miriam. Its spelling looks unusual to American eyes, which is why an audio guide helps, and it touched a modest high in the mid two-thousands.

It was never common in the United States, given to only about twenty girls a year at its peak, worn mostly by families honoring Irish heritage. A girl named Maille at that high is in her early twenties today. The name carries deep roots in a compact, distinctive form.

Did you know? Maille is an old Irish relative of Molly, both softened forms of Mary, and it appears in the Gaelic surname behind the well-known name Grace O'Malley, the sixteenth-century Irish sea captain.
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Maille — Irish form of Mary (Maire/Molly); Hebrew Miriam

Variations

MaireMollyMalley

Nicknames

MaiMollyMay

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Maille…

Maire— the close Irish form of Mary
Molly— the familiar softened form of Mary
Saoirse— a like Irish heritage girl's name
Niamh— a like traditional Irish name needing a pronunciation guide

Explore names like Maille

By themerareheritageclassicirish

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Maille mean?

It is an Irish form of Mary, related to Maire and Molly, from the Hebrew Miriam.

How do you pronounce Maille?

It is said MAW-lyuh /ˈmɑːl.jə/, two syllables; some anglicize it as MAY-lee.

Is Maille a boy or girl name?

Maille is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Maille?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about twenty girls a year at its peak in the mid two-thousands.

💬 Ask Nia