A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Maybelle since 1880
Babies named Maybelle per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Maybelle's real moment was 1908.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 304 |
| 1890s | 591 |
| 1900s | 843 |
| 1910s | 1,553 |
| 1920s | 1,289 |
| 1930s | 618 |
| 1940s | 328 |
| 1950s | 128 |
| 1960s | 64 |
| 1970s | 19 |
| 1980s | 21 |
| 1990s | 14 |
| 2000s | 58 |
| 2010s | 251 |
| 2020s | 285 |
Meaning & origin
Maybelle is a compound name that flourished at the turn of the 20th century, ranking as high as the top 200 in 1908. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 1997. In 2025, it ranked 2,822 nationally, with about 1 in 26,788 girls receiving the name. Its strongest state was Texas. The name's appeal lies in its vintage charm and its combination of two beloved name roots, May and Belle. While the sound is similar to Mabel, Maybelle stands apart with its extra syllable and more ornate feel. Parents drawn to revival names in the same family include Ruby, Pearl, and Hazel for sisters, and Earl or Clyde for brothers.
Maybelle is a compound name formed from May, a month name or a diminutive of Mary, and Belle, the French word for 'beautiful' or a short form of Isabelle and Annabelle. It emerged in the late 19th century as part of the trend for combining familiar name elements to create new, feminine-sounding names. The name saw peak popularity in the early 1900s, particularly in the southern United States.
Where Maybelle is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: May, Belle, Maysie
Sibling names for Maybelle
Names that share Maybelle's style, for a brother or sister.
