Maeve comes from the Irish Medb (Middle Irish for "intoxicating" or "the intoxicating one") — and refers to Queen Medb of Connacht, the warrior queen at the centre of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, particularly the great epic Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley).
Maeve has been in U.S. records since 2003 and has been rising rapidly — it now sits in the top 115. The one-syllable shape, the soft -V ending, and the Irish heritage with the mythological backbone have made it one of the most successful Irish-origin names in the West.
Maeve reduces to five — the number of independence, curiosity, and quiet strength.