Maeve

Celtic names like Riley and Nora have been popular for girls over the past decade, as with tailored single-syllable picks like Grace and Claire. Newly popular is one name that combines the two traits: Maeve. 

Maeve is the Anglicization of the Gaelic name Medb, which was the name of a warrior queen from Irish legend. It means "intoxicating," which makes sense considering, as told in The Cattle Raid of Cooley, Queen Medb fought King Conchobar of Ulster. Maeve was also known, though to a lesser degree, as the Irish Queen of the Fairies. 

The name, also spelled Medbh and Meadhbh, came into use in medieval Ireland. These dominated over the English spelling until the nineteenth century. Maeve was popular in Ireland from the late 1960s through the 2000s and again in 2012, 2020, and from 2022. 

However, Maeve has only recently gotten popular in the English-speaking world. In England and Wales, Maeve was first recorded in 1898. As an American name, Maeve has been used for at least five girls since 1940. It reached the top 100 in England, Australia, and New Zealand in 2020. Three years later, Maeve entered the American top 100 for the first time at #73. 

Maeve's rise throughout the English world makes sense considering fourth-wave feminism. Alongside taking inspiration from the character from Netflix's Sex Education, parents want their daughters to look up to warrior queens and other strong female models. 

Maeve has not only become popular, but its "may" sound is helping Mabel and Mavis up the charts. Alternatives abound for parents who are reluctant towards top 100 names. 

 

SPELLINGS:

Medb, Medbh


STYLES:

Celtic, Exotic, Mythological


SISTERS:

Freya, Brigid, Daphne, Nora, Ivy, Gemma, Tallulah, Quinn


BROTHERS:

Declan, Graham, Liam, Jude, Rowan, Malcolm, Bennett, Finn


ALTERNATIVES:

Blythe, Brynn, Carys, Maisie, Mirren, Moira, Neve, Orla


FURTHER RESOURCES:

"Maeve." Names, Behind the Name, 23 Apr. 2024, https://www.behindthename.com/name/maeve. 

Nickerson, Eleanor. "Maeve." Names of the Week, British Baby Names, 25 Aug. 2018, https://www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2018/08/name-of-the-week-maeve.html. 

Redmond, Pamela. "Maeve." Baby Girl Names, Nameberry, 12 Jun. 2024, https://nameberry.com/b/girl-baby-name-maeve. 


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