MallowbyNames

Maeve

MAYV · Anglicized form of the Irish name Medb, traditionally glossed as "she who intoxicates," from the same root as the word mead.

2025 rank (girls)
#76
Babies named in 2025
3,153
Peak popularity
2025
2025 frequency
1 in 510 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1985

Rising since 1985, #76 for girls today.

Popularity of Maeve since 1940

Babies named Maeve per year in U.S. Social Security records.

1.1k2.1k3.2k19401960198020002020Most births 2025Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1940s50
1950s74
1960s102
1970s89
1980s333
1990s1,450
2000s4,072
2010s7,545
2020s15,893

Meaning & origin

Maeve entered American records remarkably late for a name with roots in Iron Age legend: it first shows up in Social Security data in 1940, brought over in the trickle of Irish names that followed the great immigration waves. For decades it stayed a connoisseur's choice. The turn came around 1985, and the climb since has been steady enough that 2025, when Maeve reached 76th place, given to about 1 in 510 newborn girls, stands as its all-time peak.

The name's momentum fits the broader American appetite for short, complete, consonant-strong girls' names, and its pedigree is anything but dainty: the original Medb of Connacht is one of the most formidable figures in Irish epic, the queen who launches the Táin Bó Cúailnge. Writers Maeve Binchy and Maeve Brennan gave the name literary standing in the twentieth century, and television characters on shows like Westworld and Sex Education have kept it in circulation with younger parents.

Regionally, Maeve is strongest in northern New England and its neighbors, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island lead the nation, consistent with its profile as a name that thrives where Irish heritage and quiet-vintage taste overlap.

Maeve is the standard anglicization of Old Irish Medb (modern Irish Méabh or Meadhbh), the name of the legendary warrior-queen of Connacht who drives the cattle raid at the center of the epic Táin Bó Cúailnge. The name is traditionally connected to the Old Irish word for mead and glossed "she who intoxicates" or "the intoxicating one," though as with most names from early Irish legend the derivation is a scholarly reconstruction rather than a certainty. Long common in Ireland, Maeve barely registered in the United States until the mid-twentieth century, it first appears in Social Security data in 1940, and remained a rarity for decades before American parents discovered it in earnest.

Read more: Maeve on Wikipedia

Where Maeve is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Maeve” around the world

Where Maeve lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    45

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    #60

    in 2025

  • New Zealand

    #29

    in 2025

  • Quebec

    32

    babies in 2025

  • Australia (NSW)

    #38

    in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Mae, Maevie

Variants: Medb, Méabh, Meadhbh, Maev, Maeva

Famous people named Maeve

  • Maeve Binchy · Irish novelist of Circle of Friends and Tara Road
  • Maeve Brennan · Irish short-story writer and longtime New Yorker staff writer

Sibling names for Maeve

Names that share Maeve's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Nora, Fiona, Margot, Sloane, Quinn, Elowyn, Alanna, Audra, Brenna, Ciara, Clare, Darcy, Eileen, Shannon, Tara, Ailene, Aislinn, Alaia, Alannah, Ayleen, Blythe, Bree, Bridgit, Brigette, Brigid, Brigit, Bryn, Cailin, Dara, Darby, Darcie, Davina, Deidre, Deirdre, Emalyn, Enid, Everlee, Evyn, Hallie, Ione, Keeley, Keva, Kiera, Lainie, Leigha, Leighton, Lyanna, Meda, Murphy, Navy, Rayne, Rosaleen, Shae, Shay, Shea, Siobhan, Twyla, Una, Willa, Ailyn, Aislin, Aisling, Aislyn, Aislynn, Alysse, Aoife, Arla, Arlee, Arwen, Barrie, Brienne, Brynley, Carra, Ceara, Ceola, Ciana, Delany, Dreama, Elayne, Elease, Elois, Emelyn, Enya, Erynn, Esmae, Falon, Irish, Jayanna, Jovie, Kahlan, Kathlyn, Keara, Keelin, Kenna, Kerin, Lael, Laynie, Leana, Lillith, Mabry, Marlow, Meara, Neve, Niamh, Norene, Novaleigh, Oona, Ragan, Rayleen, Rooney, Rori, Ryanne, Saoirse, Saydee, Seanna, Shiela, Sinead, Taegan, Teagen, Teigan, Tierney, Treasa, Tresa, Wrenleigh, Wynona, Zelie, Adalena, Adalind, Adelie, Aerin, Ailin, Ailish, Ailsa, Alayne, Aliene, Allanah, Anam, Aralynn, Arly, Bridgid, Briget, Brighid, Caelin, Caira, Caitrin, Chavy, Chevonne, Corinn, Corra, Dallie, Darra, Deirdra, Dierdre, Dineen, Edelyn, Eilleen, Eily, Eleen, Eleonor, Elspeth, Elyce, Elyn, Emmarae, Esli, Esly, Esmee, Evanna, Evey, Falyn, Fia, Fionna, Flannery, Harlo, Hazely, Imojean, Inis, Ita, Janeva, Joei, Kaleen, Kamber, Kearra, Keera, Kiely, Leelah, Loghan, Lorane, Lynea, Madigan, Maebry, Maeven, Maevyn, Malone, Mavery, Mayleen, Morna, Morrigan, Murriel, Neala, Neeley, Niva, Perl, Raeven, Raney, Reaghan, Rheagan, Rianne, Roisin, Rorie, Rowynn, Saydie, Sayge, Shelagh, Tanae, Teaghan, Theora, Tyne, Adaira, Adalay, Addalee, Aelyn, Aideen, Ailis, Aivy, Aleese, Ashlinn, Avalene, Aylee, Aylene, Briony, Caoimhe, Catelin, Cearra, Ceili, Ceira, Chivon, Cielle, Clodagh, Connelly, Daly, Devoiry, Dierdra, Eilee, Eilis, Eilish, Elain, Ellsie, Elowynn, Elynn, Enda, Eveleen, Evett, Evynn, Eyleen, Faelyn, Faelynn, Fianna, Haizel, Hazyl, Imogean, Isolde, Jadie, Jaeli, Katherleen, Katleen, Kearney, Keeva, Kieryn, Klair, Koleen, Krimson, Laini, Leaira, Leani, Lenay, Lenni, Lynix, Maevry, Mazey, Meeghan, Merryn, Navey, Nealy, Nixie, Novali, Nuala, Oria, Pegeen, Reyne, Rheana, Rhemi, Riann, Ruari, Saje, Savvy, Shere, Taige, Tayen, Wrenna, Wynnie, Eavan, Ellawyn, Evanne, Finola, Greydis, Jaid, Laelle, Malyn, Neave, Remedi, Abaigeal, Abiageal, Adaleyza, Adamae, Adelee, Ahilyn, Aibhlinn, Aileena, Airyn, Aislee, Athleen, Avaeh, Avarae, Ayslin, Branna, Brayah, Brigitt, Cadi, Cait, Ceana, Cheila, Chevi, Cozy, Creasie, Deidrea, Devri, Eira, Eleven, Ellakate, Elleen, Elloree, Emony, Enslie, Erine, Erleen, Ethne, Evanie, Falan, Fallan, Fionnuala, Hollan, Imajean, Irys, Kameo, Karagan, Kearie, Keelia, Leeona, Maeci, Maevery, Maileen, Massie, Mathea, Meryn, Naelle, Nelliel, Nevelyn, Norinne, Novalea, Phallon, Raelan, Raeonna, Ramsie, Rhaelyn, Rhayne, Rheanne, Rotha, Salice, Saylem, Seoni, Shevaun, Shevawn, Shivon, Shivonne, Stiorra, Talulla, Talullah, Teeghan, Tilia, Zanae

Brothers: Declan, Finn, Rory, Callum, Owen, Liam, Silas, Arthur, Boyd, Brendan, Colt, Connor, Conor, Dean, Desmond, Donovan, Duncan, Emmett, Glen, Ian, Knox, Lyle, Oscar, Roy, Sean, Virgil, Alden, Amias, Angus, Arlo, Barret, Bodie, Bowen, Brennan, Brennen, Calder, Cale, Callahan, Callan, Cian, Coleman, Cort, Cullen, Derry, Dexter, Donn, Doran, Dorsey, Doyle, Eamon, Ean, Egan, Evans, Finnegan, Finnian, Flint, Flynn, Gale, Gannon, Grady, Harlan, Holden, Kale, Kane, Keagan, Keegan, Keelan, Keenan, Kellen, Kieran, Killian, Lex, Loyd, Mac, Manning, Olan, Oran, Oren, Orin, Patric, Quenton, Quinten, Raylan, Rian, Ronan, Royce, Seamus, Shaine, Shayne, Shon, Sullivan, Thatcher, Tobin, Torin, Valor, Vance, Aaden, Adair, Aedan, Aldon, Aven, Axl, Bear, Blane, Bowie, Brennon, Breon, Brion, Brogan, Caelan, Calum, Carlin, Cavan, Cavin, Ciaran, Cillian, Clancy, Cleon, Conan, Conley, Connell, Conway, Corby, Cormac, Corwin, Cree, Creighton, Crue, Dain, Deklan, Dempsey, Desmon, Devlin, Dezmond, Donal, Eamonn, Eiden, Elgin, Ennis, Eoin, Ethyn, Evin, Ewan, Farrell, Farris, Ferris, Finnick, Finnigan, Gaige, Garvin, Gauge, Glennon, Graig, Gregor, Hagan, Hogan, Kaelan, Keane, Kelan, Kennan, Kervin, Kevan, Kiernan, Kilian, Kreed, Kyran, Lavaughn, Lorne, Macklin, Mayo, Niall, Niel, Niles, Noland, Nolen, Nyle, Oneal, Oneil, Orie, Oshea, Perrin, Quade, Quin, Quinlan, Rafe, Roan, Rogan, Ryon, Shain, Shamus, Teague, Thane, Thayne, Tiernan, Tully, Tyrus, Wesson, Westen, Yancey, Adian, Adric, Alvan, Arlow, Ascher, Bodi, Brenan, Broadus, Bron, Bruin, Caelen, Calem, Callaghan, Carney, Carrell, Cashel, Cashius, Caston, Chael, Colman, Con, Conlan, Creig, Criss, Croix, Cullin, Curran, Curren, Daegan, Daine, Danner, Dashiel, Deagan, Deaglan, Dermot, Derrian, Dillin, Donel, Donley, Donnel, Donnovan, Dorrian, Doyal, Duff, Duffy, Dugan, Eagan, Eion, Elric, Elridge, Enis, Erion, Erroll, Ewing, Farrel, Fergus, Ferrel, Finian, Finneas, Fintan, Fionn, Fraser, Galvin, Garron, Gilmore, Gorman, Hayze, Hughes, Huxton, Iann, Joss, Kaelen, Kail, Kavan, Keaghan, Kean, Keeghan, Keifer, Keiran, Keiron, Kelso, Kier, Kieren, Kieron, Klint, Knight, Lain, Lamoine, Legrand, Lelan, Lion, Lochlann, Locke, Lowry, Lysle, Macoy, Maddon, Mannix, Neale, Nevan, Neven, Newt, Ormond, Padraic, Paxon, Phelan, Quint, Ramzy, Rayland, Reeve, Renly, Renne, Renwick, Rip, Roark, Rockne, Rook, Ruffin, Shayn, Sheamus, Shone, Sterlin, Syre, Tait, Tuff, Tynan, Wolfe, Aedin, Aengus, Aleister, Arth, Autrey, Avon, Axxel, Bain, Baine, Bon, Bowyn, Brae, Brahm, Bran, Breccan, Brenen, Brennin, Broderic, Caellum, Calton, Carden, Caven, Clance, Cohan, Colan, Colden, Colyn, Conall, Conlin, Craige, Decklan, Decklin, Deke, Deklyn, Delmore, Denney, Deroy, Dio, Doak, Dolan, Dozier, Dravyn, Eilan, Eldin, Elray, Esker, Faolan, Fin, Finan, Findlay, Finnan, Garvey, Gearold, Gleason, Grantham, Graylon, Griff, Griffyn, Heyden, Jourden, Kairon, Kealan, Keath, Keefe, Keefer, Keelen, Keighan, Kerney, Kester, Keynan, Khyrin, Kienan, Kline, Klyde, Konor, Kyllian, Kynan, Leam, Leary, Leith, Lennin, Lenon, Lorcan, Lydon, Maclan, Maclane, Marcas, Martel, Matson, Mayes, Mayford, Milam, Moxon, Negan, Neill, Niam, Oaklan, Oaklin, Obrien, Oniel, Oryn, Owynn, Pate, Quentyn, Quinlin, Quintan, Raeden, Rafferty, Raife, Ramsay, Rayner, Raynor, Rice, Riordan, Roarke, Rorik, Rourke, Ruairi, Shey, Solan, Tighe, Toryn, Weller, Westlee, Whalen, Wilver, Wylan, Anothy, Aydn, Caid, Daiden, Deaken, Desman, Donevan, Sorren, Thaine, Aadan, Adrick, Alann, Aran, Ayvin, Baer, Bannon, Barlow, Bohannon, Bowan, Brannen, Breece, Broghan, Bryne, Cadel, Calahan, Calihan, Callin, Cashe, Cathan, Chaunce, Chevis, Chisum, Chivas, Coady, Collan, Colm, Conal, Coner, Conn, Cono, Conroy, Cormick, Corran, Corrigan, Cowan, Coyle, Cullan, Daelen, Desmund, Deveron, Dorin, Dorrance, Dowell, Drae, Eames, Eann, Ernan, Ewin, Finbar, Finneus, Gaelan, Gaelen, Gaje, Gatsby, Haysen, Hendry, Huckston, Jago, Kaelem, Kaenan, Kaiyr, Keanen, Keanon, Keevan, Kelian, Kermitt, Khale, Kielan, Kilan, Kingsly, Kiven, Koehn, Konan, Kroi, Larz, Leelynd, Leeon, Lennex, Lenoxx, Levan, Liahm, Lochlin, Loudon, Lowen, Lyal, Lyall, Lyell, Macdonald, Maddock, Manus, Marvon, Maxey, Mccabe, Merick, Merric, Nalan, Neilan, Ness, Nial, Nolon, Nyal, Olon, Ossian, Pearse, Rainen, Ranen, Reiss, Renton, Reylan, Rhyse, Rosser, Rowin, Rydan, Ryman, Ryott, Sair, Senan, Taeden, Taevin, Tallan, Tallis, Taos, Tarl, Teven, Tristram, Weyland, Wiatt, Wilkin, Yosohn, Zandyr

Names like Maeve

Names whose popularity has moved with Maeve's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

M is for Maeve, our favorite little girl.

M is for Maeve…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Maeve's letter becomes Maeve's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Maeve's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does Maeve mean?
Maeve anglicizes the Irish Medb, the legendary queen of Connacht. The name is traditionally linked to the Old Irish word for mead and glossed "she who intoxicates," though the derivation is reconstructed rather than certain.
How popular is Maeve?
Maeve ranked 76th among American girls in 2025, its highest position ever, and was given to about 1 in 510 girls born that year.
How do you pronounce Maeve?
One syllable: MAYV, rhyming with wave. The Irish spellings Méabh and Meadhbh are pronounced essentially the same way.
Is Maeve still rising?
Yes. The name has climbed more or less continuously since 1985, and 2025 marked a new peak, so it shows no sign of having topped out.
What sibling names pair well with Maeve?
Other compact Irish and Celtic-leaning names work naturally: Nora, Fiona, or Sloane for a sister; Declan, Finn, or Rory for a brother.