Maeve
Maeve Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
MAYV
Meaning of Maeve: Maeve anglicizes the Old Irish name Meadhbh (pronounced MAY-v in modern Irish), meaning she who intoxicates, the cause of great joy, or the mead-woman—connecting the name to the Old Irish word mid (mead, the honey-wine drunk at royal feasts).
The name belongs to a class of Irish sovereignty names that tied the ruler’s identity to the land’s fertility and prosperity.
Queen Meadhbh of Connacht is one of the most prominent figures in early Irish mythology. She appears in the Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), the central epic of the Ulster Cycle, as a warrior queen who wages war against Ulster for possession of a great bull.
What Does Maeve Mean? Origin & Etymology
According to etymology records, she was regarded as a sovereignty goddess before becoming a literary character, representing the power of the land to confer or withhold legitimacy on kings.
According to SSA records, Maeve entered the US top 500 in 2002 and has climbed steadily—reaching rank 300 in 2008, rank 100 in 2017, and rank 75 in 2024 with 3,624 registered births.
The name’s rise reflects a broader American enthusiasm for Irish and Celtic names, accelerated by cultural events like the Outlander television series (2014–present), which made Gaelic names more familiar to mainstream audiences.
The British television series Sex Education (2019–present) features a lead character named Maeve Wiley, introducing the name to a younger American audience through streaming platforms.
Notably, Maeve’s popularity has increased faster among American parents without Irish heritage than within the Irish-American community—suggesting its appeal transcends ethnic familiarity into a broader aesthetic preference for short, strong Celtic names.
How Popular Is Maeve?
Numerology & Symbolism of Maeve
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Maeve – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Maeve
What does Maeve mean?
Maeve means she who intoxicates or cause of great joy, from the Old Irish Meadhbh. The name connects to the Old Irish word for mead (honey-wine), suggesting a sovereignty goddess whose presence brought the joy and intoxication of successful feasting and rule.
Where does the name Maeve come from?
Maeve comes from Old Irish mythology, where Queen Meadhbh of Connacht was one of Ireland’s most powerful legendary figures. She appears in the Táin Bó Cúailnge as a warrior queen and sovereignty goddess. The English spelling Maeve anglicizes the original Irish.
How popular is Maeve in the US?
Maeve ranks #75 for girls in the US in 2024, according to SSA records, with 3,624 registered births. It entered the top 100 in 2017 and has continued climbing. The character Maeve Wiley in Netflix’s Sex Education (2019) introduced the name to younger American audiences.
How do you pronounce Maeve?
Maeve is pronounced MAYV in both English and modern Irish—one syllable, rhyming with “cave.” The original Irish spelling Meadhbh looks complex but is pronounced identically. The anglicized spelling Maeve makes the pronunciation immediately accessible to English speakers.
What are variants of Maeve?
Variants include Meave (alternate anglicization), Meadhbh (original Irish spelling), and the archaic English Maev. The related Old Irish Medb uses older orthography. Queen Mab in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is likely a related form. No standard masculine equivalent exists.
Maeve – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Meave | Anglicized variant |
| Maebh | Irish |
| Maedb | Old Irish |
| Medb | Old Irish |