Girl Name · Irish Origin
Maeve
Maeve — a girl name from the Irish tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Intoxicating, she who rules", 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, she who rules
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 pair naturally with Maeve.
- 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, she who rules" and is of Irish origin.
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.