What Does the Name Maeve Mean?
Maeve is the anglicized form of the Irish Medb, generally translated as 'she who intoxicates' or 'the intoxicating one,' with some scholars also reading it as 'she who rules,' connected to ideas of sovereignty.
The Origin & History of Maeve
In Irish mythology, Maeve (Medb) is the formidable warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle, a figure closely tied to sovereignty and fertility goddesses in early Irish tradition. The name has been part of continuous Irish use ever since, later carried into English by Irish emigration.
Popularity in the United States
Maeve ranks around #76 among US girls' names in 2025. It has been a top-100 name in Ireland for most of the past six decades and has grown quickly in the US and in England and Wales over the last twenty years.
Personality & Traits
Maeve tends to feel bold, literary, and independent, carrying the strength of its mythological warrior-queen namesake in a short, musical package.
Famous People Named Maeve
Maeve Binchy was the best-selling Irish novelist behind Circle of Friends and Tara Road. Maeve Higgins is an Irish comedian, writer, and podcast host.
Nicknames & Variations
Medb and Meabh are the traditional Irish-language spellings. Mave is an occasional anglicized variant, and Mae works as an informal short form.