Maeve is a name that gallops in, sword in hand, demanding attention.
With her ancient Irish roots, bold mythology, and just the right amount of vintage flair, Maeve is the kind of name that feels as timeless as it is current. She's got legend in her bones and fire in her blood—the perfect storm of strength, charm, and mystery wrapped up in one syllable.
Born of Myth, Made for Battle
Maeve comes to us from the Old Irish Madb (pronounced “mayv”), which means “intoxicating.” And once you get to know the original Maeve, you’ll understand why that definition hits the mark.
Long before anyone worried about “proper” behavior, Maeve was a goddess—yes, a literal Celtic deity—known for her power, independence, and yes, irresistible allure. But when myth met mortal history, Maeve’s legend only grew. She became the iconic Queen of Connacht, one of the most formidable female figures in Irish lore (and honestly, probably one of the fiercest monarchs to ever rule, mythological or not).
The Tale of the Táin: Bulls, Battles and Badassery
Maeve’s defining story comes from the Táin Bó Cúailnge—aka The Cattle Raid of Cooley—one of Ireland’s most epic legends. And if you thought ancient Irish queens spent their days weaving and waiting... think again.
In a moment of competitiveness, Queen Maeve and her husband Aillil were comparing assets. He claimed he had more wealth, citing his prize bull. Maeve, naturally, decided she wasn’t about to be bullshamed—so she launched a full-blown military campaign to steal the famed bull of Ulster. That’s right—she literally started a war over livestock to prove a point. And what’s more, she rode into battle herself, in an open chariot, while men everywhere stared in awe.
She was bold. She was ruthless. She was magnetic. And though the war ended with two bulls tearing each other apart (classic anticlimax), Maeve got her bull—and secured her place in legend as a woman who would not be outdone.
The Name That Refused to Die
In Ireland, Maeve never really left. She’s been used since the Middle Ages and enjoyed a nice little renaissance in the 1930s and ’40s. But across the Atlantic? Americans didn’t discover this intoxicating Irish beauty until 1997, when Maeve finally landed on the Top 1000 list on the U.S. female naming charts.
Since then, she’s been slowly and steadily climbing the ranks, riding the wave of vintage-chic girl names like Hazel, Violet, and Ruby—but standing out with her own Celtic bite. Maeve isn’t soft and flowery. She’s sharp, elegant, and strong—like a perfectly forged dagger handed down through generations.
And let’s talk versatility: She works for Irish-American families looking to honor their roots, literary lovers obsessed with myth, or modern parents wanting a one-syllable name that doesn’t sound like every other one out there.
The Numerology of Maeve: All Hail the Number One
As if her backstory didn’t scream boss energy already, Maeve also resonates with the Number One personality in numerology. That’s the number of leaders, pioneers, and starters—not finishers, necessarily, but the bold ones who light the match.
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Driven and daring, Ones take action while others are still weighing options.
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They’re intensely original, full of ideas, and they refuse to be boxed in.
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Obstacles? Pfft. They bulldoze through them—or better yet, go around them while building a new road.
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They're not here to follow. They're here to break the mold.
Basically, Maeve is the girl who grows into a woman no one forgets—a game-changer, a ground-breaker, a force to be reckoned with.
Final Thoughts: Maeve, the Name That Reigns
Maeve might be short, but don’t be fooled—this name has 2,000 years of power, presence, and mythic magic behind it. Whether you love her for her Irish fire, her intoxicating strength, or her no-nonsense femininity, Maeve is the rare baby name that manages to feel ancient and ahead of the curve at the same time.
So if you’re looking for a name that’s simple, stunning, and secretly loaded with mythological clout, go ahead and crown your daughter Maeve.
She’ll wear it well.