Maeve: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Maeve mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Irish: Joyous, she who intoxicates
Celtic: Queen
Greek: Goddess of song
Latin: Purple flower
French: A small bird; song-thrush; joy

Gender: Female

Syllables: 1

Pronunciation: The name Maeve is pronounced mayv

The name Maeve means "purple flower" in Latin and is a feminine Celtic name meaning "queen." Maeve is the Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Medb, which means "intoxicating."

Girl name variations

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Chris O'Donnell

Maeve in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Maeve Millay from Westworld - A highly intelligent host who becomes self-aware and seeks freedom.
Maeve Wiley from Sex Education - A brilliant but troubled student who starts a sex therapy clinic at her school.
Maeve Donovan from Criminal Minds - A geneticist and the love interest of SSA Dr. Spencer Reid.
Maeve Rourke from The Secret Circle - A powerful witch with a mysterious past in the novel series.
Maeve Stoddard from Guiding Light - A character from the long-running American soap opera, known for her tumultuous storyline.

Popularity of the Name Maeve

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Maeve has steadily risen in popularity in the US over recent years. While it was relatively uncommon in earlier decades, it has surged in popularity, breaking into the top 500 names by the early 2000s, and as of the last available data, it ranked well within the top 200, marking a significant increase in use.

Historically, figures with the name Maeve are less common, but its growth in modern times can be attributed to cultural influences such as literature and media. Notable persons with the name include several fictional characters, like Maeve Millay from Westworld, Maeve Wiley from Sex Education, and Maeve Donovan from Criminal Minds, which have likely contributed to the name's rising popularity.

The name's unique charm and historical roots in Irish culture, meaning "she who intoxicates," add to its appeal for new parents seeking a distinctive yet meaningful name for their daughters.