Rising since 2001, #3,028 for girls today.
Popularity of Maeleigh since 2000
Babies named Maeleigh per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2016, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Maeleigh's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 104 |
| 2010s | 469 |
| 2020s | 310 |
Meaning & origin
Maeleigh is a modern American invention that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 2000. It combines the root Mae with the popular suffix -leigh, which has been a hallmark of contemporary naming trends, especially in the South. The name reached its peak popularity in 2022, ranking 3028, and has been steadily rising since 2001. As of 2025, it occurs in about 1 in 29,764 births for girls. Maeleigh has been most common in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia, reflecting its strong regional appeal. Its trajectory suggests continued modest growth, though it remains an uncommon choice. The name exemplifies the 21st-century fashion for feminine names ending in -leigh, including variants such as Maelee and Mayleigh. While lacking historical depth, Maeleigh fits comfortably alongside sibling names like Kaelyn and Paisley, and offers the easy nickname Mae.
Maeleigh is a modern coinage that blends the familiar name Mae (derived from May, the month, or Mary) with the suffix -leigh, fashionable in 21st-century American name creation. The suffix -leigh itself originates from Old English lēah meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow', but in Maeleigh it functions primarily as a stylistic element. The name first appeared in U.S. birth records around 2000, part of a wave of -leigh names that gained popularity in the South and spread nationwide.
Where Maeleigh is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mae, Lee, Leigh
Sibling names for Maeleigh
Names that share Maeleigh's style, for a brother or sister.
