Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Maeve
GirlIrish· “she who intoxicates”
- Meaning
- she who intoxicates
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- MAYV
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #76
- US babies 2025
- 3,153
- Best rank
- #73 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Maeve
Maeve is an Irish name that means “she who intoxicates”.
Maeve is the anglicized form of the Old Irish Medb, usually explained as she who intoxicates, from a root related to mead. In Irish legend Medb is the fierce warrior queen of Connacht, whose quarrel over a prized bull sets off the great epic known as the Cattle Raid of Cooley. She was likely a sovereignty goddess before becoming a legendary queen. The name stayed in Irish use for centuries and has spread widely in English-speaking countries. Maeve is short, strong and distinctly Irish, with a single syllable that pairs easily with longer middle names. Spellings such as Maev and Mave also appear.
Popularity over time
Maeve first appears in US Social Security records in 1940. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 29 different years, starting in 1997. Its best national rank was #73 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2025, when 3,153 were named Maeve. In 2025, 3,153 babies were named Maeve, and it ranked #76 nationally. That is 348% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,422 in 1980, #778 in 2000, #536 in 2010, and #76 in 2025. Of the 29,608 US girls named Maeve since records began, 54% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 7,545 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Liliana, Daisy, Emery, Melody, and Lyla.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maeve ranked highest in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | #4 | 56 |
| Rhode Island | #12 | 28 |
| Massachusetts | #15 | 169 |
| Vermont | #16 | 15 |
| Maine | #18 | 31 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Maeve is usually pronounced MAYV, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-ve”.
Middle names for Maeve
A few middle names that flow with Maeve: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maeve
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Lists that include Maeve
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maeve mean?
Maeve is an Irish name that means “she who intoxicates”.
What is the origin of the name Maeve?
Maeve has Irish roots. Maeve is the anglicized form of the Old Irish Medb, usually explained as she who intoxicates, from a root related to mead.
Is Maeve a popular name?
Yes. Maeve ranked #76 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Maeve a boy or girl name?
Maeve is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Maeve?
Maeve is usually pronounced MAYV. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings