Girl Name · Irish Origin
Maeve
Maeve means “Intoxicating”. It is a girl's name of Irish origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Maeve — a girl name from the Irish tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Intoxicating", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Maura is on your shortlist, Maeve belongs in the same conversation.
Maeve meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Intoxicating
Origin: Irish naming roots help connect Maeve to related Irish baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Maeve as M·A·E·V·E, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Maeve is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Maeve variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Maevea, Maevee, Maevey, Maev.
- Nicknames: Mae and M.
- Middle names: Pair Maeve with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Maeve middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Maura, Mabel, Mable, Mavis, Maple — full picks on the sibling names for Maeve guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Maeve? Browse our names like Maeve guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Maeve
What does the name Maeve mean?
Maeve means "Intoxicating" and is of Irish origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Maeve is used as a girl name.
What is the origin of Maeve?
Maeve originates in Irish naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Maeve?
Maeve has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Maeve a boy's or girl's name?
Maeve is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Maeve in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Maeve sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Maeve?
Names that share Maeve's sound and style include Maura, Mabel, Mable, Mavis, Maple.
What middle names pair well with Maeve?
Good middle-name fits for Maeve pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Maeve is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Maeve is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Maeve?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Maeve share its rhythm without rhyming — Maura, Mabel, Mable all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.