The nameMaeve

Maeve is the anglicised form of Medb, a legendary queen of Connacht in Irish mythology. It is popular in Ireland and increasingly in Britain and the United States.

Meaning

Maeve comes from the Irish Medb, often explained as "she who intoxicates", related to the word for mead.

Origin

Irish. Queen Medb is a central figure of the Ulster Cycle, especially in the Cattle Raid of Cooley.

History

Maeve reached 26th place in England and Wales in 2024 and 2025, and entered the American top 100 in 2023. The writer Maeve Binchy made the name familiar.

Famous people named Maeve

Popularity of the name Maeve

Maeve in the United States

75thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2024peak year (3,098 births)
26,442babies named Maeve in the United States since 1880
01,5493,098 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Maeve was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 12,728 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Maeve. Its rise began around 1999, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Maeve in the United States were born before 2019, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 2,546 births a year on average, against 933 in the five years before.

Maeve in the United Kingdom

26thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2025peak year (1,495 births)
8,485babies named Maeve in the United Kingdom since 1997
07481,495 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Maeve was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 6,611 births over the decade, 78% of all recorded babies named Maeve. Its rise began around 2019, and it peaked in 2025. Half of all babies named Maeve in the United Kingdom were born before 2022, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,200 births a year on average, against 235 in the five years before.

Maeve in Ireland

60thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
1981peak year (106 births)
4,395babies named Maeve in Ireland since 1964
053106 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Maeve in France

764thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2024peak year (70 births)
705babies named Maeve in France since 1900
03570 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Sibling names for Maeve

Names from the same generation as Maeve, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Maeve? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Maeve with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Maeve side by side with the name of your choice.

Maeve in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Maeve mean?

Maeve comes from the Irish Medb, often explained as "she who intoxicates", related to the word for mead.

What is the origin of the name Maeve?

Irish. Queen Medb is a central figure of the Ulster Cycle, especially in the Cattle Raid of Cooley.

Is Maeve a girl's or a boy's name?

Maeve is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Maeve?

In 2024, Maeve was the 75th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 3,098 births.

What are good sibling names for Maeve?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Millie, Sylvie, Alessia and Raya for a sister, Walker, Rory, Enzo and Luca for a brother.

Who are famous people named Maeve?

Maeve Binchy, novelist; Maeve Higgins, comedian.