"she who intoxicates"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Maeve
Pronunciation: [ m-uh-EHV ]
Does Maeve flow with your last name?
A fierce Irish warrior queen's name brewed from ancient magic
Irish
American
British
Australian
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Earthy
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"she who intoxicates, intoxicating woman"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
"intoxicating one, mead-like"
Origin: Proto-Celtic
Language: Celtic
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The Story of Maeve
Maeve is the anglicized form of the Old Irish 'Meadhbh' (also spelled Medb or Méabh). The name derives from a Proto-Celtic root meaning 'intoxicating' or 'she who intoxicates,' closely related to the word for mead — the ancient honey wine. Meadhbh was a legendary warrior queen of Connacht in Irish mythology, appearing as the central figure in the Ulster Cycle epic 'Táin Bó Cúailnge' (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). She is one of the most powerful and complex female figures in all Celtic mythology.
Maeve has been rising sharply in the US, UK, and Australia through the 2010s-2020s as parents seek short, unusual names with authentic Celtic heritage. The Netflix series 'Sex Education' (2019-2023), featuring the sharp and independent protagonist Maeve Wiley, significantly boosted the name's visibility among younger parents.
Queen Maeve of Connacht is one of Irish mythology's most complex and fascinating figures — powerful, ambitious, sexually liberated, and fiercely political. She is a symbol of feminine authority in a literary tradition that often downplayed women's power. The Táin Bó Cúailnge is Ireland's greatest prose epic, and Maeve is at its center.
Historical Record
Maeve first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 26,392 babies have been named Maeve in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maeve is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #75 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Táin Bó Cúailnge, Queen Maeve's story, is Ireland's greatest prose epic and forms the centerpiece of the Ulster Cycle of ancient Irish myths
- William Butler Yeats was so fascinated by Queen Maeve that he referenced her in multiple poems, including 'The Old Age of Queen Maeve'
Maeve in Other Languages
Irish
Meadhbh
French
Maève
Spanish
Maeve
Japanese
メイヴ
Scottish Gaelic
Mèabh
Popularity Over Time
#75
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maeve
M
Maeve Wiley (fictional)
Other
2019
Fan-favorite character from the Netflix series Sex Education, known for her intelligence and wit
M
Maeve Binchy
Writer
1940
Irish novelist and journalist beloved for warm, character-driven stories including Circle of Friends and Tara Road, Irel...
Irish novelist and journalist beloved for warm, character-driven stories including Circle of Friends and Tara Road, Ireland's most successful female novelist
Q
Queen Medb (Maeve)
Other
100
Legendary queen of Connacht in Irish mythology, known for her strength and ambition in the Ulster Cycle
Q
Queen Maeve of Connacht Fictional
Royalty
Legendary warrior queen of Connacht in Irish mythology, central figure of the Táin Bó Cúailnge and one of the most power...
Legendary warrior queen of Connacht in Irish mythology, central figure of the Táin Bó Cúailnge and one of the most powerful female figures in all Celtic tradition
M
Maeve Wiley Fictional
Other
Sharp, independent protagonist of Netflix's 'Sex Education' (2019-2023), who runs a secret sex advice clinic at school a...
Sharp, independent protagonist of Netflix's 'Sex Education' (2019-2023), who runs a secret sex advice clinic at school and becomes a celebrated young writer
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Compare Maeve with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #75
- Total SSA Count
- 3,098
- Cultural Origins
- Irish American British Australian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Nicknames
Mae
May
Maeie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maeve
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Irish)
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Names that share meaning themes with Maeve
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maeve
What does the name Maeve mean?
"she who intoxicates" (from Old Irish). "she who intoxicates, intoxicating woman" (from Irish Gaelic). "intoxicating one, mead-like" (from Proto-Celtic). Maeve is the anglicized form of the Old Irish 'Meadhbh' (also spelled Medb or Méabh). The name derives from a Proto-Celtic root meaning 'intoxicating' or 'she who intoxicates,' closely related to the word for mead — the ancient honey wine. Meadhbh was a legendary warrior queen of Connacht in Irish mythology, appearing as the central figure in the Ulster Cycle epic 'Táin Bó Cúailnge' (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). She is one of the most powerful and complex female figures in all Celtic mythology.
What is the origin of the name Maeve?
Maeve has Old Irish, Irish Gaelic, Proto-Celtic, Irish, American, British, and Australian origins. In Old Irish, it means "she who intoxicates". In Irish Gaelic, it means "she who intoxicates, intoxicating woman". In Proto-Celtic, it means "intoxicating one, mead-like".
Is Maeve a boy or girl name?
Maeve is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Maeve?
Maeve is pronounced m-uh-EHV.
How popular is the name Maeve?
Maeve is currently ranked #75 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maeve?
Common nicknames for Maeve include Mae, May, and Maeie.
What are good middle names for Maeve?
Popular middle name pairings include Maeve Rose, Maeve Eileen, Maeve Grace, Maeve Josephine, Maeve Brigid, and Maeve Kate.
What are good sibling names for Maeve?
Names that pair well with Maeve as siblings include Siobhan, Roisin, Cormac, Finn, Ciara, and Declan.
How many syllables does Maeve have?
Maeve has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maeve a common or rare name?
Maeve is a very popular name, ranked #75 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Maeve?
About the Name Maeve
Maeve is a girl name with Irish, American, British, and Australian origins . The name means "she who intoxicates" in Old Irish .
Maeve is currently ranked #75 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maeve has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-uh-EHV, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Maeve include Mae, May, and Maeie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maeve include Maeva, Maevyn, Maevis, Maeven, Maevry . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis