I am not sure that it is seen as standalone. Surely, one doesn't use "Maid" or other archaic terms from which "Mädchen" is the derived word. But to me I am awar

I am not sure that it is seen as standalone. Surely, one doesn't use "Maid" or other archaic terms from which "Mädchen" is the derived word. But to me I am aware that its a diminutive. If I speak dialect I also use the dialectal diminutive (Mädle). Of course to someone learning the language that level of understanding is hard to reach without immersion for years.