Name meaning

Maeve Name Meaning - She who intoxicates (Irish)

Meaning: She who intoxicates; the great
Origin: Irish
Gender: Girl
Pronunciation: MA-E-VE

Maeve means "She who intoxicates; the great" (Irish). Recorded in Irish sources, Maeve glosses as "She who intoxicates." Maeve (from Irish Meadhbh) was the legendary warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle — bold, ambitious, and powerful.

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Meaning and Linguistic Breakdown

Recorded in Irish sources, Maeve glosses as "She who intoxicates." Maeve (from Irish Meadhbh) was the legendary warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle — bold, ambitious, and powerful.

Origin and Historical Usage

Maeve (from Irish Meadhbh) was the legendary warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle — bold, ambitious, and powerful. Her name means she who intoxicates or the great one. It is one of the most powerfully feminine Irish names and is rising rapidly worldwide.

Pronunciation Guide

Phonetic: MA-E-VE
Syllables: 2

Geographic and Cultural Usage

The name travels well in international schools and multicultural cities. Irish origin remains the anchor even when spelling stays unchanged.

Popularity

In NameBloom's internal list, Maeve sits around #8 — widely recognized. National statistics (SSA, ONS, etc.) may differ.

Notable People Named Maeve

M
Maeve Binchy
M
Maeve Wiley (Sex Education)
M
Maeve McKinnon

Variants and Related Names

Spelling variants

Medb — alternate form of Maeve
Meadhbh — alternate form of Maeve
Mave — alternate form of Maeve
Mab — alternate form of Maeve

Related names

Aoife

Same Irish naming tradition

"Beautiful, radiant; she who causes great fear"

Niamh

Same Irish naming tradition

"Bright; radiance"

Ciara

Same Irish naming tradition

"Dark-haired, dark"

Brigid

Same Irish naming tradition

Same Irish naming tradition

"Bright-headed; war strife"

Frequently Asked Questions about Maeve

What does Maeve mean?

Maeve means "She who intoxicates; the great" in Irish tradition. Recorded in Irish sources, Maeve glosses as "She who intoxicates." Maeve (from Irish Meadhbh) was the legendary warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle — bold, ambitious, and powerful.

How do you pronounce Maeve?

Maeve is pronounced MA-E-VE (2 syllables).

What language is Maeve from?

Maeve comes from Irish. Maeve (from Irish Meadhbh) was the legendary warrior queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle — bold, ambitious, and powerful.

Is Maeve a boy or girl name?

Maeve is primarily used as a girl's name.

What does Maeve mean in English?

English references usually translate Maeve as "She who intoxicates; the great." It is not an English word; the gloss comes from Irish.

Is Maeve a rare name?

In NameBloom's internal list, Maeve sits around #8 — widely recognized. National statistics (SSA, ONS, etc.) may differ.

What is the origin of the name Maeve?

What are variants of Maeve?