Maciel Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-SEE-el /məˈsiːəl/
Origin: Spanish; Portuguese
Meaning: Spanish: 'son of Macio'; Portuguese: 'son of Matthew'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Maciel has its roots in the Latin name 'Macilius,' which is derived from the word 'macula,' meaning 'spot' or 'stain.' This Latin origin evolved through various linguistic transitions, eventually finding its way into Old French as 'Maciel' before being adopted into English. The name has been associated with various cultural and historical contexts, particularly in regions influenced by Latin languages, including Spain and Portugal.
Historically, the name Maciel has been linked to several notable figures, particularly in the context of the Catholic Church. One significant milestone is the establishment of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the 19th century, founded by Saint Miguel Febres Cordero, who was known as Maciel.
His contributions to education and missionary work have left a lasting impact, particularly in Latin America, where the name gained further resonance. Culturally, the name Maciel carries connotations of purity and virtue, stemming from its association with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a significant symbol in Catholic tradition.
This connection has helped sustain the name's presence in various communities, particularly among those with strong religious ties. Additionally, the diminutive form 'Maci' has emerged in some cultures, reflecting a more affectionate or familiar usage of the name.
Overall, the name Maciel encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance, making it a name with deep roots in both language and tradition.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Maciel, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Maciel. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Maciel was first seen in the United States in 1977.
Maciel has ranked as high as #1134 nationally, which occurred in 1987, and has been most popular in California, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Maciel has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Maciel is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Maciel was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Maciel (1994)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Maciel.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1997 | 13 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1989 | 14 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1987 | 17 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1977 | 5 |