Rising since 1985, #76 for girls today.
Popularity of Maeve since 1940
Babies named Maeve per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 50 |
| 1950s | 74 |
| 1960s | 102 |
| 1970s | 89 |
| 1980s | 333 |
| 1990s | 1,450 |
| 2000s | 4,072 |
| 2010s | 7,545 |
| 2020s | 15,893 |
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.
“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
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.

