The Baby Name Wizard

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Comments and insights on the name Maeve: | Edit

The origin of the name Maeve is Irish. Translated from the Gaelic, Maeve means "she who intoxicates."In Irish legend Maeve was the name of a warrior queen of Connacht (the western province of Ireland) who organized the death of the hero Cúchulainn.

Personal experiences with the name Maeve: | Edit

A nurse told my grandmother in the hospital not to name her new daughter Maeve, because that would be "the sort of girl to hang about the pubs."

An old favorite of mine. After we named our daughter I learned that my paternal grandfather grew up on the land that Queen Maeve was allegedly buried at in County Sligo, Ireland.

When we told our Irish nurse that we had named our daughter Maeve, she exclaimed "Oh, THAT's a name to live up to!"

Echoing a theme here: I'm not a superstitious person but...naming your daughter after a warrior queen who specialized in fighting her husband and seducing his generals, is not something to do lightly. The Maeve I know best (now in her 30s) is a smarter than anyone I know, a mechanical engineer who races (and fixes) motorcycles, wears a lot of makeup, is frequently mistaken for a stripper, and takes no @%$# from nobody. On the positive side, she did give up smoking (we can guess when she started).

My parents almost named me Maeve, but changed their mind when they heard the name Meg on a TV show.

Nicknames for Maeve: | Edit

Maevey Gravy; Maevester; Maevers: May-May; Maevey; Maevey-Moo; Maevy Bean; Maverick
Mae, Eve, Vee

Meanings and history of the name Maeve: | Edit

Maeve (or Medb) is queen of Connacht in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
Intoxicating or one who intoxicates

Famous real-life people named Maeve: | Edit

Maeve Binchy, Irish novelist.
Maeve Guy, famous for being cool.
Maeve Quinlan, American actress.
Maeve Brennan, Irish short story writer and journalist.
Maeve Kinkead, American soap opera actress.
Dr. Mary Beatrice "Maeve" Finnegan, widow of the late President of Ireland Dr. Patrick Hillery.

Maeve in song, story & screen: | Edit

Maeve is a character in the book "Babyville" by Jane Green.
Maeve Is a character in the series "Beacon Street Girls" By Annie Bryant