Maeve
How to say it: MAYV · /ˈmeɪv/
Anglicization of Irish Medb, meaning 'she who intoxicates'; borne by a legendary warrior queen of Connacht.
Maeve was the 101st most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 3,153 babies (Social Security Administration). The 2020s are its busiest decade so far, its births are up 4.5-fold in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #21 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #101 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 3,153 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,051 |
| Peak decade | 2020s |
| Change over 10 years | ×4.5 |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #21 |
| In France, 2025 | #667 among girls’ names, 50 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
After building quietly, Maeve hit its best stretch in the 2020s. Holding at its peak, more rise appears likely onward.
What goes with it
Bold yet breathy, Maeve feels strong with roots in mythology. Saoirse matches its mood.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Maeve is about 1 in 44.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, Irish.
In France: #667 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #26. Ireland: #61.
Famous people named Maeve
- Maeve Binchy (1939–2012)Irish novelist
- Maeve Dermody (born 1985)Australian actress
- Maeve Quinlan (born 1964)American actress
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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