Maeve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maeve
Queen Maeve and the Druid, by illustrator Stephen Reid from the 1904 book The Boys' Cuchulainn by Eleanor Hull.
Pronunciation	/meɪv/ mayv
Gender	Female
Origin
Word/Name	Irish
Place of origin	Europe

Maeve is a popular girl's name that comes from Ireland. It's also sometimes spelled Maev or Maiv. The name comes from an old Irish word, Méabh. In ancient times, it was spelled Medb.

The name Maeve might mean "she who intoxicates" or "mead-woman." Another idea is that it means "she who rules." A famous Maeve from Irish mythology is Medb, a powerful queen. People believe she might have been a sovereignty goddess, which means she was linked to the land and its rule.

How Popular is the Name Maeve?

The name Maeve has been quite popular in different parts of the world. It has been a favorite in its home country, Ireland, for many years.

Maeve's Popularity in Ireland and the UK

• In Ireland, Maeve has often been one of the top 100 names for girls. The spelling Meabh was also popular in 2020.
• In Northern Ireland, Maeve was a top 100 name between 1997 and 2004.
• In England and Wales, the name Maeve has become much more popular recently. It moved from being less common to a top 100 name by 2020.
• Scotland has also seen Maeve rise in popularity, joining the top 100 names for girls since 2020.

Maeve's Popularity Around the World

• The name Maeve has also grown in popularity in the Netherlands. It became one of the most common names for newborn girls there in 2021.
• In the United States, Maeve has been gaining popularity since 1997. It has moved up to be one of the top 150 names for girls born there since 2021.

Famous People Named Maeve

Many interesting people have been given the name Maeve. Here are a few:

• Medb – A legendary queen from Irish mythology.
• Maeve Binchy (1940–2012) – A well-known Irish writer.
• Maeve Brennan (1917–1993) – An Irish short story writer and journalist.
• Maeve Dermody (born 1985) – An actress from Australia.
• Maeve Fort (born 1940) – A British diplomat.
• Maeve Gilmore (1917–1983) – A British artist.
• Maeve Higgins (born 1981) – An Irish comedian.
• Meave Leakey (born 1942) – A famous paleontologist who studies ancient life.
• Maeve Quinlan (born 1964) – An American actress and former tennis player.

Other Uses of the Name Maeve

• Queen Maeve International Summer School – This is a summer school in Ireland focused on traditional music. Its Irish name is Scoil Samhraidh Miosgán Medbha.
• Stella Maeve (born 1989) – An American actress.