Given name · also Gaelic
Maeve
“intoxicating, she who makes drunk”·“an intoxicating woman”
Maeve carries the intensity of an ancient Irish name and the story of a legendary queen.
Original IrishMéabh
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “intoxicating, she who makes drunk” and “an intoxicating woman” (Irish). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Irish.
How it developed
In Irish use, Maeve is used as a form of Gaelic.
The story
In the Táin Bó Cuailnge, or Cattle Raid of Cooley, Queen Meadhbh of Connacht leads a raid to capture the Brown Bull of Cooley. Maeve is an English spelling of her name; the story belongs to Irish epic tradition.
Maeve through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 29,608
- 0 boys · 29,608 girls
- Most popular year
- 2025
- 3,153 babies
- 2025
- 3,153
- #76 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +154%
- Rising fast
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 3,153 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 76 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 154.1% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, New York had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (226). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 13,956 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Maeve’s family of names
In English usage, Maeve developed from the Middle Irish form Medb. Maeve has a related form in Mave. Maeve has a related form in Mave.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 5
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 4
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Maeve
- Maeve BinchyIrish novelist1939–2012
- Meave LeakeyBritish paleoanthropologistborn 1942
- Maeve DermodyAustralian actressborn 1985
- Maeve QuinlanAmerican actressborn 1964
- Maeve PlouffeAustralian cyclistborn 1999
- Maeve BrennanIrish writer (1917–1993)
- Maeve JinkingsBrazilian actressborn 1976
- Maeve HigginsIrish comedianborn 1981
- Maeve HilleryIrish physician (1924-2015)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Maeve, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Maisie
“pearl”
>99% girls
Deoch
>99% girls
Blair
“from the field of battle”
6% boys · 94% girls
Quinn
“woman who is queenly” · “one who provides counsel; an intelligent man”
20% boys · 80% girls
Elaine
“the shining light” · “resembling a fawn”
>99% girls
Teagan
“one who is attractive; goodlooking” · “a handsome man”
9% boys · 91% girls
Davina
“the beloved one” · “Beloved”
>99% girls
Monroe
“woman from the river” · “from the mouth of the river Roe”
20% boys · 80% girls