Maeve
/MAYV/
Maeve is a girl name of Irish origin, meaning She who intoxicates.
- GenderGirl
- OriginIrish
- StyleClassic
- Syllables1
- US rank#159
What does Maeve mean?
She who intoxicates
Maeve is the anglicised form of the Irish Medb, understood to mean "she who intoxicates" or "she who rules" - the root is connected to mead and the ritual of sovereignty.
The story behind the name
Queen Medb of Connacht drives the plot of the Táin Bó Cúailnge, the central epic of Irish literature. The whole war begins because she will not accept owning one bull fewer than her husband. She is one of the most forceful characters in early European literature and not remotely a decorative queen.
Shakespeare's Queen Mab, the fairy of Mercutio's speech in Romeo and Juliet, is generally taken to be the same figure at several removes.
Maeve was rare outside Ireland until the 2000s and has climbed rapidly in the United States since, entering the top hundred in 2021.
Notable people named Maeve
- Queen Medb of Connacht
- Maeve Binchy, novelist
- Maeve Brennan, writer
How popular is Maeve?
Maeve has been given to 15,344 babies in the United States since 1940, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
About 1 in 1,008 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.
Variants and related names
Other spellings: Medb, Meabh, Mave
Can't decide? Swipe on it.
Swipe through names with your partner and instantly see the ones you both love.
Start swiping - it's freeFrequently asked questions about Maeve
What does the name Maeve mean?
Maeve means She who intoxicates. It is of Irish origin.
Is Maeve a boy's or a girl's name?
Maeve is most often given to girls.
How do you pronounce Maeve?
Maeve is pronounced MAYV.
How popular is the name Maeve?
Maeve has been given to 15,344 babies in the United States since 1940, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.
What are other spellings of Maeve?
Common variants include Medb, Meabh, Mave.