"she who intoxicates, intoxicating one"
Origin: Old Irish
Language: Irish
Mayve
The warrior queen name that intoxicates all who hear it
Irish
Celtic
English
Vintage
Literary
Elegant
Bold
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"mead-woman, one associated with mead"
Origin: Proto-Celtic
Language: Irish
The Story of Mayve
Mayve is a variant spelling of the Irish name Maeve (Méadhbh in Old Irish), derived from the Old Irish word for intoxicating or she who intoxicates. In Irish mythology, Maeve (also spelled Medb) was the fierce warrior queen of Connacht, one of the most powerful figures in Irish legend. She appears in the Ulster Cycle, most notably in the Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), where she leads an army against Ulster to steal the Brown Bull of Cooley.
Maeve/Mayve has experienced a significant revival in the 21st century, appearing on best-baby-names lists across the US, UK, Ireland, and Australia. The popularity of Irish-heritage names and the success of the TV show Sex Education, featuring a character named Maeve Wiley, contributed to renewed interest.
Queen Maeve is one of the great heroines of Irish mythology — bold, independent, politically powerful, and sexually liberated by the standards of her era. The name carries all of her fierce feminine energy.
Fun Facts
- Queen Maeve features in the Táin Bó Cúailnge, one of the oldest vernacular epics in Western literature
- Maeve/Mayve entered the top 100 in the US in the 2010s
- The character Maeve Wiley in the Netflix show Sex Education helped revive interest in the name
Mayve in Other Languages
Irish
Méadhbh/Meadhbh
Welsh
Myfanwy (different but related Celtic)
Old Irish
Medb
Popularity Over Time
#4,780
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Mayve
Q
Queen Maeve (Medb)
Royalty
Warrior queen of Connacht in Irish mythology, protagonist of the Ulster Cycle
M
Maeve Wiley Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the Netflix series Sex Education, played by Emma Mackey
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,780
- Total SSA Count
- 28
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Celtic English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Nicknames
May
Mayie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Irish)
Playground Safety
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mayve
What does the name Mayve mean?
"she who intoxicates, intoxicating one" (from Old Irish). "mead-woman, one associated with mead" (from Proto-Celtic). Mayve is a variant spelling of the Irish name Maeve (Méadhbh in Old Irish), derived from the Old Irish word for intoxicating or she who intoxicates. In Irish mythology, Maeve (also spelled Medb) was the fierce warrior queen of Connacht, one of the most powerful figures in Irish legend. She appears in the Ulster Cycle, most notably in the Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), where she leads an army against Ulster to steal the Brown Bull of Cooley.
What is the origin of the name Mayve?
Mayve has Old Irish, Proto-Celtic, Irish, Celtic, and English origins. In Old Irish, it means "she who intoxicates, intoxicating one". In Proto-Celtic, it means "mead-woman, one associated with mead".
Is Mayve a boy or girl name?
Mayve is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Mayve?
Mayve is currently ranked #4780 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mayve?
Common nicknames for Mayve include May and Mayie.
What are good middle names for Mayve?
Popular middle name pairings include Mayve Rose, Mayve Grace, Mayve Eileen, Mayve Catherine, Mayve Brigid, and Mayve Jane.
What are good sibling names for Mayve?
Names that pair well with Mayve as siblings include Aoife, Saoirse, Niamh, Fionnuala, Conor, and Finn.
How many syllables does Mayve have?
Mayve has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mayve a common or rare name?
Mayve is an uncommon name, ranked #4780 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Mayve
Mayve is a girl name with Irish, Celtic, and English origins . The name means "she who intoxicates, intoxicating one" in Old Irish .
Mayve is currently ranked #4,780 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mayve has 1 syllable, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mayve include May and Mayie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.