Maeve
Maeve is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Intoxicating or she who makes drunk.
Origin and history
Maeve is a traditional Irish name derived from Medb, an ancient legendary queen of Connacht in Irish folklore. The name translates to 'intoxicating' or 'she who rules'. It has experienced a massive surge in U.S. popularity in recent years, becoming a modern favorite for parents seeking short, strong Celtic names.
Popularity in the United States
29,608 babies in the United States have been named Maeve since 1880. It ranks #842 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #106.
States where it is most popular
- NY (9.7 %)
- MA (9.5 %)
- IL (8.1 %)
- CA (7 %)
- PA (6.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 50 |
| 1950-1960 | 74 |
| 1960-1970 | 102 |
| 1970-1980 | 89 |
| 1980-1990 | 333 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,450 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,072 |
| 2010-2019 | 7,545 |
| 2020-2029 | 15,893 |
Famous people named Maeve
- Maeve Binchy: Novelist, Journalist
- Maeve Higgins: Comedian, Author
- Maeve Dermody: Actress
Fun facts
- In the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, Queen Medb (Maeve) was a formidable warrior queen.
- Over half of all U.S. recorded births for the name Maeve since 1880 have occurred after 2020.