Holding steady, #3,130 for girls today.
Popularity of Neve since 1996
Babies named Neve per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 100 |
| 2000s | 500 |
| 2010s | 679 |
| 2020s | 329 |
Meaning & origin
Neve first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1996, a relatively recent entry in the baby name landscape. As of 2025, it ranks 3130th with a 1-in-31,515 incidence, indicating modest but steady usage. The name's peak popularity occurred in 2010, and its trajectory has remained stable since then, suggesting it has found a niche without becoming widely common. Geographically, Neve has been most popular in Illinois and California, reflecting a possible trend toward Irish-inspired names in diverse, urban states. While the name's etymology is debated, its modern appeal likely stems from its soft sound and visual simplicity, making it a fresh alternative to more established names like Maeve or Niamh.
Neve likely originated as a modern English coinage, possibly influenced by the Irish name Niamh (meaning "bright" or "radiant") or as a feminization of names like Neil. It gained modest usage in the United States starting in the late 1990s, possibly spurred by the actress Neve Campbell. The spelling Neve is often used to approximate the pronunciation of Niamh without the Irish orthography.
Where Neve is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Neve” around the world
Where Neve lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
New Zealand
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Niamh
Sibling names for Neve
Names that share Neve's style, for a brother or sister.
