Girl name · Irish Gaelic
Maeve
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: she who intoxicatesMaeve is a girl's name that comes from Irish Gaelic and means "she who intoxicates". It is used in English and Irish.
- Meaning
- She who intoxicates
- Origin
- Irish Gaelic
- Gender
- Girl
- US rank
- #76 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Maeve
As a girl's name, Maeve comes from Irish Gaelic and means "she who intoxicates". It is used in English and Irish.
In Irish, say MAYV. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Meaning checked against Behind the Name. How we research names
Maeve on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Maeve on 3 lists.
“Legendary warrior queen of Connacht in Irish myth”
From Girl dog names, strong female dog names
“English spelling of Méabh, she who intoxicates. Say MAYV.”
From Irish girl names, irish girl names in English spelling
“Intoxicating; Irish, from Medb, a legendary warrior queen of Connacht. Say MAYV”
From Strong female names, goddess and legendary heroine names
How popular is Maeve?
- US rank in 2025
- #76
- 3,153 babies, 1,962 per million girls
- Best rank
- #73 in 2023
- Most babies: 3,153 in 2025
- Babies since 1940
- At least 29,608
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 0 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 0 per million |
| 1900s | 0 per million |
| 1910s | 0 per million |
| 1920s | 0 per million |
| 1930s | 0 per million |
| 1940s | 3 per million |
| 1950s | 4 per million |
| 1960s | 6 per million |
| 1970s | 6 per million |
| 1980s | 19 per million |
| 1990s | 81 per million |
| 2000s | 220 per million |
| 2010s | 431 per million |
| 2020s | 1,633 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #406 | #360 | #334 | #244 | #174 | #124 | #103 | #73 | #75 | #76 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Maeve
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- MéabhShe who intoxicates (Irish Gaelic, girl)
Names spelled like Maeve
One or two letters apart, but from a different root: they look alike without sharing a meaning.
- MarieFrench form of Maria (Hebrew, girl)
- MaeThe month of May; also a pet form of Mary or Margaret (English, girl)
- MaëllePrincess, chief (Breton, girl)
- MafePet form of María Fernanda (Spanish, girl)
- MaileFragrant native vine (Hawaiian, girl)
- MaiteBeloved (Basque, girl)
- MālieCalm, quiet, gentle (Hawaiian, girl)
- MaudeStrength in battle (Germanic, girl)
- MeleSong, chant (Hawaiian, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
Middle names for Maeve
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a longer length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Irish Gaelic
- RoryRed king (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- BridgetExalted one (Irish Gaelic, girl)
- BridieExalted one (Irish Gaelic, girl)
- BrigitteExalted one (Irish Gaelic, girl)
- CaseyVigilant, watchful (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- CassidyCurly-haired (Irish Gaelic, unisex)
- DymphnaLittle fawn (Irish Gaelic, girl)
- ErinOf Ireland (Irish Gaelic, girl)
- KeiraDark one (Irish Gaelic, girl)
- KennedyFrom an Irish surname, from Cennétig, armoured or misshapen head (Irish Gaelic, girl)
Maeve: common questions
What does the name Maeve mean?
Maeve comes from Irish Gaelic and means "she who intoxicates". Checked against Behind the Name.
Is Maeve a boy or girl name?
Maeve is mainly a girl's name.
Where does the name Maeve come from?
Maeve comes from Irish Gaelic and means "she who intoxicates". Today it is used in English and Irish.
How popular is the name Maeve?
Maeve ranked #76 in the US in 2025, with 3,153 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Maeve?
Forms of Maeve with the same meaning and origin include Méabh (Irish).
What middle names go with Maeve?
Middle names that flow well with Maeve include Colette, Elizabeth, Heather, Olivia and Paige. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.