Maeve Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Maeve Name Meaning

Fact: In Irish mythology, Queen Maeve of Connacht was a powerful warrior queen famous for the epic tale “The Cattle Raid of Cooley.”

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A Deep Dive

Maeve Overview

Meaning

She who intoxicates

Gender

Girl

Origin

Irish

Etymology

Derived from the Old Irish name Medb, meaning “intoxicating” or “she who rules.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/meɪv/

Popularity

Popular in Ireland and steadily rising in the USA. In 2023, it ranked #73 in the USA.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

5 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Exotic, Mythological, Unique, Aesthetic

Associated Traits

Strong, independent, charismatic, intelligent

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with Queen Maeve of Connacht, a powerful figure in Irish mythology.

Name Day

November 1st
A Deep Dive

Maeve Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Meabh, Méabh, Meḋḃ, Meadhbh, Maeva, Maive, Mave, Mayve, Maiv, Maivy

Common Nicknames

Mae, Mae-Mae, Maevey, May, Mayo, Eve, Evie, Vi, Vivi, Maeby

Diminutives

Mae, Maeve, Mavi, Maeva, Maiv, Maive

Famous People

  • Maeve Binchy
    (Irish Novelist)
  • Maeve Kennedy McKean
    (American Attorney)
  • Maeve Quinlan
    (American Soap Opera Actress)
  • Maeve Dermody
    (Australian Movie Actress)
  • Maeve Jinkings
    (Brazilian Movie Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Maeve Millay
    ("Westworld," TV Series)
  • Maeve Wiley
    ("Sex Education," TV Series)
  • Queen Maeve
    ("The Boys," TV Series)
  • Maeve Donovan
    ("Criminal Minds," TV Series)
  • Maeve Colleary Ryan
    ("Ryan's Hope," TV Series)

Places

  • Maeve's Cairn
    (County Sligo, Ireland)
  • Maeve's Place
    (Phoenicia, New York, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Maeve?

The name Maeve means “intoxicating” or “she who intoxicates.” It comes from the Old Irish name Medb, which also translates to “she who rules.” People with the name Maeve are often seen as strong and captivating, reflecting the qualities of the mythological queen from whom the name originates.

What Is the Origin of The Name Maeve?

Maeve has Irish origins, derived from the Old Irish name Medb. This name is rooted in Irish mythology, where Queen Maeve of Connacht was a powerful and fierce warrior queen known for her intelligence and leadership. The name is also connected to the Proto-Celtic root “medu,” meaning “mead,” an alcoholic drink, which suggests the meaning “intoxicating.

Maeve Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Maeve in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#1242021#1032022#732023
Top 3 Rankings#732023#1032022#1242021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Maeve

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202373
(+30 from 2022)
3046
(+373 from 2022)
0.17414
2022103
(+21 from 2021)
2673
(+420 from 2021)
0.14907
2021124
(+49 from 2020)
2253
(+609 from 2020)
0.12576
2020173
(+71 from 2019)
1644
(+341 from 2019)
0.09300
2019244
(+90 from 2018)
1303
(+330 from 2018)
0.07101
2018334
(+26 from 2017)
973
(+106 from 2017)
0.05232
2017360
(+46 from 2016)
867
(+47 from 2016)
0.04589
2016406
(+44 from 2015)
820
(+117 from 2015)
0.04236
2015450
(+36 from 2014)
703
(+55 from 2014)
0.03604
2014486
(-1 from 2013)
648
(+23 from 2013)
0.03312
2013485
(+45 from 2012)
625
(+54 from 2012)
0.03242
2012530
(+61 from 2011)
571
(+82 from 2011)
0.02944
2011591
(-55 from 2010)
489
(-57 from 2010)
0.02524
2010536
(+57 from 2009)
546
(+38 from 2009)
0.02785
2009593
(+42 from 2008)
508
(+22 from 2008)
0.02509
2008635
(-15 from 2007)
486
(+6 from 2007)
0.02333
2007620
(+23 from 2006)
480
(+33 from 2006)
0.02268
2006643
(+52 from 2005)
447
(+49 from 2005)
0.02138
2005695
(+15 from 2004)
398
(+20 from 2004)
0.01961
2004710
(-67 from 2003)
378
(-35 from 2003)
0.01873
2003643
(+67 from 2002)
413
(+63 from 2002)
0.02058
2002710
(+46 from 2001)
350
(+33 from 2001)
0.01772
2001756
(+18 from 2000)
317
(+22 from 2000)
0.01600
2000774
(-107 from 1999)
295
(-48 from 1999)
0.01478
1999667
(+211 from 1998)
343
(+103 from 1998)
0.01762
1998878
(+75 from 1997)
240
(+33 from 1997)
0.01238
1997953
(+285 from 1996)
207
(+66 from 1996)
0.01084
19961238
(+26 from 1995)
141
(+8 from 1995)
0.00735
19951264
(+257 from 1994)
133
(+31 from 1994)
0.00692
19941521
(+143 from 1993)
102
(+12 from 1993)
0.00523
19931664
(+154 from 1992)
90
(+11 from 1992)
0.00456
19921818
(+215 from 1991)
79
(+12 from 1991)
0.00394
19912033
(+458 from 1990)
67
(+19 from 1990)
0.00329
19902491
(-213 from 1989)
48
(-4 from 1989)
0.00234
19892278
(-207 from 1988)
52
(-4 from 1988)
0.00261
19882071
(+421 from 1987)
56
(+15 from 1987)
0.00291
19872492
(-227 from 1986)
41
(-4 from 1986)
0.00219
19862265
(+596 from 1985)
45
(+13 from 1985)
0.00244
19852861
(+54 from 1984)
32
(+2 from 1984)
0.00173
19842915
(+516 from 1983)
30
(+7 from 1983)
0.00166
19833431
(+594 from 1982)
23
(+4 from 1982)
0.00129
19824025
(-286 from 1981)
19
(-2 from 1981)
0.00105
19813739
(+1505 from 1980)
21
(+8 from 1980)
0.00117
19805244
(-151 from 1979)
13
No change from 1979
0.00073
19795093
(-162 from 1978)
13
No change from 1978
0.00075
19784931
(+280 from 1977)
13
(+1 from 1977)
0.00079
19775211
(+837 from 1976)
12
(+3 from 1976)
0.00073
19766048
(+1126 from 1975)
9
(+2 from 1975)
0.00057
19757174
(-917 from 1974)
7
(-1 from 1974)
0.00045
19746257
(-177 from 1973)
8
No change from 1973
0.00051
19736080
(-603 from 1972)
8
(-1 from 1972)
0.00051
19725477
(-342 from 1971)
9
(-1 from 1971)
0.00056
19715135
(-939 from 1969)
10
(-2 from 1969)
0.00057
19700
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19694196
(+2051 from 1968)
12
(+6 from 1968)
0.00068
19686247
(-205 from 1967)
6
No change from 1967
0.00035
19676042
(-769 from 1966)
6
(-1 from 1966)
0.00035
19665273
(-1321 from 1965)
7
(-4 from 1965)
0.00040
19653952
(-72 from 1964)
11
(-1 from 1964)
0.00060
19643880
(-706 from 1963)
12
(-4 from 1963)
0.00061
19633174
(+3405 from 1962)
16
(+11 from 1962)
0.00080
19626579
(-2787 from 1961)
5
(-7 from 1961)
0.00025
19613792
(-581 from 1960)
12
(-3 from 1960)
0.00058
19603211
(+615 from 1959)
15
(+4 from 1959)
0.00072
19593826
(-78 from 1958)
11
No change from 1958
0.00053
19583748
(+2338 from 1957)
11
(+6 from 1957)
0.00053
19576086
(-133 from 1956)
5
No change from 1956
0.00024
19565953
(-1213 from 1955)
5
(-2 from 1955)
0.00024
19554740
(-1250 from 1954)
7
(-4 from 1954)
0.00035
19543490
(+466 from 1953)
11
(+2 from 1953)
0.00055
19533956
(+167 from 1952)
9
(+1 from 1952)
0.00047
19524123
(+262 from 1951)
8
(+1 from 1951)
0.00042
19514385
(-493 from 1949)
7
(-1 from 1949)
0.00038
19500
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19493892
(+454 from 1947)
8
(+1 from 1947)
0.00046
19480
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19474346
(-320 from 1945)
7
(+1 from 1945)
0.00039
19460
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19454026
(+548 from 1944)
6
(+1 from 1944)
0.00045
19444574
(-378 from 1943)
5
(-1 from 1943)
0.00037
19434196
(-1350 from 1941)
6
(-4 from 1941)
0.00042
19420
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19412846
(+362 from 1940)
10
(+2 from 1940)
0.00080
19403208
First SSA data recorded
8
First SSA data recorded
0.00068
19390
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19380
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19370
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19360
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19350
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19340
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19330
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19320
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19310
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19300
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19290
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19280
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19260
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19250
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19240
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19230
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19220
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19200
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Maeve

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#242021#252022#112023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#952021#632022#682023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#622021#422022#442023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#592021#522022#342023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1912021#1682022#1272023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#962021#922022#732023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#952021#642022#582023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3342021#2332022#2132023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#962021#572022#602023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#642021#412022#392023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1612021#1492022#732023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#752021#732022#542023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#742021#612022#592023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#1112021#762022#692023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#782021#532022#422023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3482021#1792022#1902023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1842021#1312022#882023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#692021#822022#582023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1192021#1192022#712023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1142021#1342022#772023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#382021#232022#92023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#3872021#2642022#2012023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#822021#892022#642023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1912021#1612022#1642023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#262021#212022#212023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1382021#432022#622023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#512021#342022#402023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1372021#1112022#892023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#2962021#1992022#1552023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#482021#442022#602023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1182021#1422022#412023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1522021#972022#502023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4752021#1622022#1422023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#122021#182022#162023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2402021#2452022#1582023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3712021#2702022#2032023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2082021#692022#682023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3762021#1472022#1702023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#702021#872022#492023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2702021#3192022#2122023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3292021#4632022#2572023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2032021#522022#632023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3692021#2552022#1122023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#872021#882022#232023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4002021#4422022#2522023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3012021#1612022#1232023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2112020#732021#352023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1902021#2942022#1882023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1012022#352023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1012021#1802022#962023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#502023

Popularity Rankings for Maeve in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#522021#432022#252023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#572021#422022#332023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#722021#492022#392023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#782021#492022#422023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#1312021#792022#722023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2182019#942020#772021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1062021#982022#802023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3202020#1952021#2782022

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#7022020#5202021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#8352022#5502023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7112016

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Maeve a Name for Boys or Girls?

Maeve is traditionally a feminine name.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Maeve

Maeve in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Maeve Binchy (Novelist, 1940-2012): An Irish novelist, playwright, and columnist known for her humorous and heartfelt portrayals of small-town life in Ireland. Her popular works include "Circle of Friends" and "Tara Road."
  • Maeve Kennedy McKean (Attorney, 1979-2020): An American attorney and public health official, Maeve was the great-niece of President John F. Kennedy and served as a Senior Advisor for Human Rights under President Obama.
  • Maeve Quinlan (Soap Opera Actress, born 1964): An American actress and former professional tennis player, best known for her role as Megan Conley on "The Bold and the Beautiful."
  • Maeve Dermody (Movie Actress, born 1985): An Australian actress noted for her roles in both Australian and British television and films, including "Black Water" and "The Secret Garden."
  • Maeve Jinkings (Movie Actress, born 1976): A Brazilian actress renowned for her performances in Brazilian cinema, including the telenovela "A Regra do Jogo."
  • Maeve Kinkead (Soap Opera Actress, born 1946): An American actress famous for her roles in TV soap operas like "Another World" and "Guiding Light."
  • Maeve Higgins (Comedian, born 1981): An Irish comedian, writer, and actress known for her stand-up performances and her contributions to shows like "The Maeve Higgins Show."
  • Maeve Tomalty (TV Actress, born 2000): A Canadian actress best known for her role in the Nickelodeon series "Henry Danger."
  • Maeve Press (TV Actress, born 2003): An American actress, comedian, and writer, notable for being one of the youngest performers at comedy clubs and for her role in the show "Everything's Gonna Be Okay."
  • Maeve Madden (Model, born 1988): An Irish fitness model and social media influencer known for promoting health and wellness.
  • Maeve Millay ("Westworld," 2016 TV Series): A host who gains consciousness and seeks freedom, becoming a key character in the series.
  • Maeve Wiley ("Sex Education," 2019 TV Series): A high school student who starts a sex therapy clinic and deals with her troubled past.
  • Queen Maeve ("The Boys," 2019 TV Series): A member of "The Seven," known for her superhuman strength and complex character.
  • Maeve Donovan ("Criminal Minds," 2005 TV Series): A geneticist and the love interest of Dr. Spencer Reid.
  • Maeve Colleary Ryan ("Ryan's Hope," 1975 TV Series): A central character in the American soap opera.
  • Maeve ("Throne of Glass," 2012 Book Series): A powerful and manipulative Fae Queen in Sarah J. Maas's fantasy series.
  • Maeve ("Make It or Break It," 2009 TV Series): A gymnast striving for Olympic success.
  • Maeve Rojas ("One of Us Is Lying," 2017 Book Series): A central character in Karen McManus's mystery series.
  • Maeve ("The Witcher," 2019 TV Series): A mage and member of the Lodge of Sorceresses.
  • Maeve ("Wolfwalkers," 2020 Animated Film): A main character in the animated film about a young girl who can transform into a wolf.
  • Maeve ("The Dresden Files," 2000 Book Series): The Winter Lady, the youngest of the Winter Queens in Jim Butcher's fantasy series.
  • Maeve's Cairn, County Sligo, Ireland: A large burial mound on Knocknarea Mountain, believed to be the resting place of the legendary Queen Maeve.
  • Maeve's Place, Phoenicia, New York, USA: A cozy coffee shop named after the founder's daughter, known for its welcoming atmosphere and community events.

Similar Names to Maeve

  • Medb
  • Queenie
  • Rhiannon
  • Zara
  • Reina
  • Gwen
  • Regina
  • Brigid
  • Isis
  • Hera

Sibling Names for Maeve

Parents Who Like the Name Maeve Also Like

Do you have a fondness for the name Maeve? Share your thoughts, like, and leave a comment below. Thanks for stopping by, and explore more names on the site.
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

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