Maeve
Say it: MAYV/mʲeːvˠ/
GirlIrishMythologyMeans usually explained as "she who intoxicates"5 letters1 syllable
#60
in Ireland (2025)
83
babies in 2025
#59
best rank (2000)
4,395
babies since 1964
Up 67
10-year rank change
Maeve through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (girls) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 83 | #60 |
| 2024 | 76 | #71 |
| 2023 | 69 | #81 |
| 2022 | 56 | #99 |
| 2021 | 52 | #108 |
| 2020 | 55 | #100 |
| 2019 | 51 | #106 |
| 2018 | 50 | #117 |
| 2017 | 43 | #133 |
| 2016 | 43 | #137 |
| 2015 | 50 | #127 |
| 2014 | 62 | #101 |
| 2013 | 59 | #106 |
| 2012 | 64 | #100 |
| 2011 | 51 | #127 |
| 2010 | 62 | #107 |
| 2009 | 81 | #87 |
| 2008 | 71 | #96 |
| 2007 | 82 | #78 |
| 2006 | 67 | #88 |
| 2005 | 65 | #85 |
| 2004 | 75 | #74 |
| 2003 | 64 | #77 |
| 2002 | 69 | #75 |
| 2001 | 74 | #70 |
| 2000 | 81 | #59 |
| 1999 | 70 | #65 |
| 1998 | 53 | #69 |
| 1997 | 82 | #66 |
| 1996 | 45 | #116 |
| 1995 | 59 | #95 |
| 1994 | 67 | #88 |
| 1993 | 68 | #89 |
| 1992 | 58 | #101 |
| 1991 | 82 | #81 |
| 1990 | 76 | #88 |
| 1989 | 79 | #86 |
| 1988 | 67 | #101 |
| 1987 | 81 | #92 |
| 1986 | 76 | #93 |
| 1985 | 75 | #95 |
| 1984 | 81 | #92 |
| 1983 | 98 | #83 |
| 1982 | 91 | #92 |
| 1981 | 106 | #82 |
| 1980 | 81 | #102 |
| 1979 | 92 | #91 |
| 1978 | 82 | #103 |
| 1977 | 104 | #79 |
| 1976 | 59 | #128 |
| 1975 | 73 | #110 |
| 1974 | 79 | #110 |
| 1973 | 79 | #108 |
| 1972 | 79 | #103 |
| 1971 | 93 | #90 |
| 1970 | 76 | #105 |
| 1969 | 74 | #100 |
| 1968 | 83 | #83 |
| 1967 | 69 | #98 |
| 1966 | 59 | #107 |
| 1965 | 70 | #93 |
| 1964 | 74 | #80 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Maeve mean?
Usually explained as "she who intoxicates"
English form of Irish Méabh, from Old Irish Medb, related to the word for mead.
Say it right
MAYV
The Irish spelling is Méabh, or Meadhbh in the older spelling. In Ulster Irish it can sound more like MAY-va.
The story of Maeve
Maeve is the English spelling of the Irish Méabh, which goes back to the Old Irish Medb. The name is linked to the old word for mead, so it is usually explained as “she who intoxicates”. Some scholars prefer a meaning to do with ruling, and many think Medb began as a goddess of sovereignty.
In the Ulster Cycle, Medb is the proud queen of Connacht. When she learns that her husband Ailill has a bull finer than any of hers, she sends her army to seize the Brown Bull of Cooley, and the great cattle raid, the Táin Bó Cúailnge, follows. The writer Maeve Binchy is a well-known modern bearer.
Maeve has been given in Ireland steadily throughout the CSO records. It was given to the most babies in 1981, with 106 girls. Its best rank came later, at number 59 in 2000. It has climbed again recently, to number 60 in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Maeve (English proper noun)
- Wiktionary: Méabh (Irish proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Maeve
- Wikipedia: Dáire mac Fiachna
- CSO VSA60, Girls Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Maeve | 83 | 4,395 |
In Northern Ireland
#55 in 2025 with 35 babies. Best rank #55 (2025); 593 babies since 1997.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.