The first name Maeve

In 2025, 1,330 girls were named Maeve, making it the 26th most popular girls’ name.

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Maeve with other names.

In 2025, 3,153 girls born in the United States were named Maeve, the 76th most popular girls’ name that year.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

• Maeve Quinlan
  American actress, born 1964
• Maeve Dermody
  Australian actress, born 1985
• Maeve Plouffe
  Australian cyclist, born 1999
• Meave Leakey
  British paleoanthropologist, born 1942

• Orla
• Kennedy
• Keira
• Caitlin
• Kiara
• Kathleen
• Kaitlyn
• Aoife
• Katelyn
• Tara
• Nola
• Caitlyn
• Eileen
• Ciara
• Bridget
• Saoirse

All 142 names of Irish origin

What does the name Maeve mean?

Maeve means “intoxicating” in Irish.

What is the origin of the name Maeve?

Anglicized form of the Irish Méabh, from Middle Irish Medb (literally “intoxicating”) and Meadhbh in Medieval irish. The name of a legendary queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.

How popular is the name Maeve?

In 2025, 1,330 girls born in England and Wales were named Maeve, ranking 26th.

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

Mostly a girl's name: 100% of the 29,608 US babies named Maeve since 1880 were girls.

When was Maeve most popular?

2025 in the United States, when 3,153 babies were named Maeve, its highest rank at 76th.

How do you pronounce Maeve?

Maeve is /meɪv/, 2 syllables.

What are other spellings of Maeve?

Medbh.