Maeve

mayv

Irish

"she who intoxicates"

Updated Wed Nov 29 2023

Maeve Origin and Meaning

The name Maeve is a girl's name of Irish origin meaning "she who intoxicates".

Maeve is a short and sweet name that has become one of the most stylish Irish names for girls in the modern US. Maeve would make an excellent first or middle name choice, with more heft than Mae/May and more modern charm than Mavis.

Maeve appears in Irish mythology in two forms, one as the powerful Queen of Connacht, the other as the queen of the fairies. Maeve of Connacht was a warrior queen, famous for starting a war in attempt to steal her ex-husband’s stud bull. Other spellings are Meabh, Medb and Meadhbh, which are connected to mead, a honey-based wine that was produced in many ancient cultures.

Chris O'Donnell, Lili Taylor and Kathryn Erbe used Maeve for their daughters. The Irish author Maeve Binchy also is a well-known bearer. Maeve is the name of one of the lead characters on the HBO show Westworld.

Irish spelling Meabh is popular in Ireland, but not recommended in the US.

# 104 in the US

Maeve Rank in US Top 1000

# 2 on Nameberry

Maeve Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Maeve Popularity

104US2022
2Nameberry2023
197Future2028
77England2021
49Scotland2022
98Ireland2022
48Australia2022
43New Zealand2022
23Netherlands2022
64Canada2022

20 Names Similar to Maeve

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Famous People Named Maeve

(Anne) Maeve BinchyIrish novelist
Maeve BrennanIrish novelist
Maeve DermodyAustralian actress
Maeve Geraldine FortBritish diplomat
Maeve Patricia Mary Theresa GilmoreBritish painter; wife of author Mervyn Peake
Maeve HigginsIrish comedienne
Maeve KinkeadAmerican soap opera actress
Maeve Anne QuinlanAmerican actress
Maeve Fahey Kennedy Townsend (b. 1979)daughter of politician Kathleen Kennedy Townsend; granddaughter of politician Robert F. Kennedy
Maeve Elsbeth Erbe Kinney (b. 1995)daughter of actors Terry Kinney and Kathryn Erbe
Maeve Frances O'Donnell (b. 2007)daughter of actor Chris O'Donnell

Maeve TaylorFlynn (b. 2008), daughter of actress Lili Taylor and poet Nick Flynn
Maeve Thea Rosa (b. 2017)daughter of YouTubers Tara and Mandi Rosa of Living Rosa; twin of sister Everett Lux
Maev Alexander (born Maev Alexandra Reid McConnell)Scottish actress
Maev Ni MhaolchathaIrish singer of group Celtic Woman

Maeve in Pop Culture

Maevequeen of Connaught in Irish mythology
Maevecharacter on TV's Make It Or Break It
Maevecharacter in Dustlands series by Moira Young
Maeve Colleary Ryancharacter on American soap Ryan's Hope
Maeve Donovanformer girlfriend of Dr. Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds
MaeveCeltic sorceress on TV show The Adventures of Sinbad
Maeve Millaycharacter on TV series Westworld
Maeve Jacqueline Kelly CorriganQueen of Beldain, character in "The Young Elites" book series by Marie Lu
Queen Maevemain antagonist of Sarah J. Maas's book series "Throne of Glass"
Maeve Wileycharacter on TV's Sex Education
Maeve Rojascharacter in "One of Us is Lying" by Karen McManus