[name]How[/name] would you pronounce this name? What do you think of it? Is is strong/substantial/normal enough for a first name? Would the nickname [name]Mimi[/name] be a streach for this name? Does anyone know anybody with this name? Thanks Berries!
I confess at first glance it looks like “male/mail” to me pronunciation-wise, though I imagine that it’s probably said “[name]May[/name]-elle.” I can’t say that I care for it. I like the “[name]May[/name]-elle” sound, but I do feel like it’s missing something, and this spelling seems sort of harsh to me for some reason. As for being normal, I have never met anyone by this name, but with more -elle and -ella names, I suppose it could fit in all right. There is a [name]Mayella[/name] in To Kill a Mockingbird, but she doesn’t exactly come out looking like a role model (I don’t think people would draw much of a connection, though, since the spellings are so different). [name]Mimi[/name] wouldn’t be the first nickname to come to mind (I get [name]May[/name] and [name]Ellie[/name] before [name]Mimi[/name]), but I tend to think liberally about nicknames (I mean, [name]Elizabeth[/name] and [name]Birdie[/name]–not particularly connected), so why couldn’t a [name]Maelle[/name] be a [name]Mimi[/name]? 
I immediately say Mail too.
When I try to say a [name]Mae[/name]-[name]Elle[/name] it comes out sounding like I’m still saying Mail only with a heavier accent. It feels incomplete to me.
That said, I don’t see why a [name]Maelle[/name] couldn’t go by [name]Mimi[/name] (or [name]Mae[/name] or [name]Elle[/name] or [name]Ellie[/name])
To be honest, I think it sounds like a faux French name! And I immediately say Mail as well.
I don’t find it very substantial… it sounds like something is missing. Maybe [name]Ella[/name] [name]May[/name] might catch your eye!
[name]May[/name]-elle or My-elle. Makes me think of Eyal / Ayal like the male Hebrew names…at least that’s how I’m reading it. I see a lot of potential teasing with ‘male’ right there in the name!
I automatically think of Mail
I automatically think of maelstrom.
Woah, less love for [name]Maelle[/name] than anticipated. hummm…
Maëlle is pronounced more like the word mile, you do not say the “elle” part separate from Mae, you can listen to it here, Pronunciations for maelle (from Maëlle to Maelle Garbino)
it has been growing in popularity in France since the 70s and is currently at the height of its popularity at around 1700 births a year, I know 3 or 4 from ages 6 months to early 20s. I think it’s a great name and not at all fake French!
Wanted to add, not sure if you know but this is the feminine form of Maël which means prince (but no it does not mean princess), some sites say it stems from Ishmael but Im not sure thats correct.
thank you thetxbelle!
I’d pronounce it [name]May[/name]-elle. Its a new name to me, I think its quite pretty.