Delightful Middle Names for Maeve (2023)
Maeve is an old fashioned sounding name that carries with it an essence of prestige. While still considered fairly uncommon, this name is continuing to rise up the charts and becoming more popular among parents.
If you’re considering the name Maeve for your daughter, we’ve gathered the best middle names for Maeve below.
Meaning of the Name Maeve
Maeve is an anglicized form of the Irish name Medb, meaning “intoxicating.”
| Origin | Irish |
| Pronunciation | may-v |
Best Middle Names for Maeve
Whether you’re searching for a traditional middle name or something more unique, we’ve put together a list of our favorite choices below.
- Maeve Abigail
- Maeve Adele
- Maeve Adelynn
- Maeve Alexandra
- Maeve Allegra
- Maeve Amara
- Maeve Annabelle
- Maeve Aspen
- Maeve Aurora
- Maeve Aveline
- Maeve Beatrix
- Maeve Bernadette
- Maeve Blakely
- Maeve Braelynn
- Maeve Brynlee
- Maeve Camilla
- Maeve Cassidy
- Maeve Catalina
- Maeve Cecilia
- Maeve Celeste
- Maeve Charlotte
- Maeve Coleen
- Maeve Cordelia
- Maeve Daniella
- Maeve Daphne
- Maeve Delaney
- Maeve Demi
- Maeve Destiny
- Maeve Dorothea
- Maeve Eden
- Maeve Eileen
- Maeve Eliana
- Maeve Eliza
- Maeve Elliott
- Maeve Eloise
- Maeve Emilia
- Maeve Evangeline
- Maeve Everleigh
- Maeve Felicity
- Maeve Finley
- Maeve Gabriella
- Maeve Gianna
- Maeve Gracelynn
- Maeve Harper
- Maeve Hazel
- Maeve Imogen
- Maeve Isabella
- Maeve Isla
- Maeve Jacqueline
- Maeve Jasmine
- Maeve Joanna
- Maeve Jocelyn
- Maeve Josephine
- Maeve Juliana
- Maeve Juliet
- Maeve Juniper
- Maeve Kailani
- Maeve Kathleen
- Maeve Kensley
- Maeve Lauren
- Maeve Leilani
- Maeve Lennox
- Maeve Leona
- Maeve Lillian
- Maeve Lisette
- Maeve Luciana
- Maeve Lucille
- Maeve Mackenzie
- Maeve Maddison
- Maeve Marlene
- Maeve Maurine
- Maeve Nadine
- Maeve Naomi
- Maeve Natalia
- Maeve Noelle
- Maeve Oaklynn
- Maeve Olivia
- Maeve Paisley
- Maeve Palmer
- Maeve Parker
- Maeve Pauleen
- Maeve Peyton
- Maeve Phoenix
- Maeve Raelynn
- Maeve Regina
- Maeve Riley
- Maeve Rosalie
- Maeve Samara
- Maeve Sawyer
- Maeve Saylor
- Maeve Scarlett
- Maeve Selena
- Maeve Skylar
- Maeve Sophia
- Maeve Teagan
- Maeve Valentina
- Maeve Victoria
- Maeve Viviana
- Maeve Willow
- Maeve Zariah
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How To Pick a Middle Name
Do You Need A Middle Name?
In short, no. You do not need to give your child a middle name. You can choose to only give your child a first name and last name. There are no laws or requirements in regard to middle names.
However, according to research in the European Journal of Social Psychology, using middle initials in your name increases people’s perception of your intelligence.
Providing your child with a middle name will help differentiate them from others who share their same name. It also gives them a second option. Some children choose to go by their middle names instead of their first names as they grow older.
We all know how important it is to find the perfect name for our children. But did you know that in some cultures, middle names can be used as a way to give your child an additional identity? A new connection with their family history or heritage.
Here we will explore the things you should consider when giving your children a middle name!
Family Names
A child’s middle name is a great way to honor a beloved family member. It could be someone who has passed or a living family member who means a lot to the parents. Middle names don’t need to be gender-specific, so this could be a good place to include male or female family members.
Some parents like to include family surnames, such as the mother’s maiden name, as a middle name. This allows both sides of the family to pass down their name to the child. Any name that is meaningful to the family can make a nice middle name.
Flow and Initials
Probably the most important thing parents think of when choosing their child’s name is how it all sounds together. The first, middle, and last name should flow nicely together.
Many popular middle names are short, one or two syllable names because they pair well with most first names.
If family members speak another language or have an accent, take into consideration how everyone will be pronouncing the names when determining how they fit together
Monograms are popular in Southern culture, but it is still helpful to consider your child’s initials regardless of where you live.
Monograms for women are typically in the order of first name initial, large last name initial, and then middle name initial.
For men, the initials are usually in order of first, middle, and then last name. Avoid spelling out unfortunate words with the initials.
Middle names and their initials can also be used for nicknames. For example, Mary Elizabeth can be shortened to Mary Beth. Or, Elizabeth Zoe can be shortened to the initials E. Z. As a nickname.
If you just can’t narrow it down to a first name and a middle name, you can always include multiple middle names. In the United States, most people only have one middle name, but it is common around the world to have two or more.
It is recommended not to add too many middle names though. Most paperwork only leaves a spot for a single middle name or initial and multiple names can lead to confusion.
Special Meanings
A child’s middle name is a great way to pay homage to anything that holds special meaning to the parents. Some inspiration for names includes:
- Influential people in your life
- Characters from books, movies, or television
- Locations that hold memories
- Languages that are important to the family
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First Name for Middle Name Maeve
Maeve is a name that pairs so well as a middle name. It was hard to narrow down our favorite first name options for middle name Maeve, but here they are.
- Ada Maeve
- Adeline Maeve
- Adriana Maeve
- Ainsley Maeve
- Alessandra Maeve
- Alexis Maeve
- Alicia Maeve
- Amora Maeve
- Ariella Maeve
- Avery Maeve
- Bella Maeve
- Bethany Maeve
- Brianna Maeve
- Briella Maeve
- Bristol Maeve
- Cameron Maeve
- Carolina Maeve
- Cecilia Maeve
- Charleigh Maeve
- Charlotte Maeve
- Cora Maeve
- Dahlia Maeve
- Dakota Maeve
- Daphne Maeve
- Delilah Maeve
- Edith Maeve
- Eleanor Maeve
- Elizabeth Maeve
- Eloise Maeve
- Ember Maeve
- Esmeralda Maeve
- Evelyn Maeve
- Fiona Maeve
- Freya Maeve
- Gemma Maeve
- Genesis Maeve
- Genevieve Maeve
- Georgina Maeve
- Hadley Maeve
- Hannah Maeve
- Harmony Maeve
- Iris Maeve
- Isabelle Maeve
- Ivy Maeve
- Jacqueline Maeve
- Jennifer Maeve
- Josephine Maeve
- Julia Maeve
- Kaitlyn Maeve
- Katherine Maeve
- Kaylee Maeve
- Kennedy Maeve
- Kimberly Maeve
- Laura Maeve
- Leighton Maeve
- Lily Maeve
- London Maeve
- Lydia Maeve
- Mabel Maeve
- Madeline Maeve
- Magnolia Maeve
- Melody Maeve
- Nadia Maeve
- Nevaeh Maeve
- Nora Maeve
- Oakley Maeve
- Ophelia Maeve
- Paislee Maeve
- Parker Maeve
- Penelope Maeve
- Piper Maeve
- Poppy Maeve
- Rachel Maeve
- Rebecca Maeve
- Regina Maeve
- Rosemary Maeve
- Sabrina Maeve
- Sadie Maeve
- Savannah Maeve
- Sloane Maeve
- Stella Maeve
- Sydney Maeve
- Taylor Maeve
- Valerie Maeve
- Violet Maeve
- Zuri Maeve
Nicknames for Maeve
- Eve
- Evie
- Mae
- Maevie
- Maisie
- May
- Vi
- Vivi
Variations of Maeve
- Maev, Maiv, Maive (English)
- Méabh, Meadhbh, Mave, Meave (Irish)
- Méabh, Meadhbh, Medb (Irish Mythology)
Names Similar to Maeve
- Ainsley
- Bridget
- Caroline
- Catherine
- Ciara
- Claire
- Cora
- Dora
- Dorothy
- Eleanor
- Elodie
- Eloise
- Emily
- Fiona
- Freya
- Genevieve
- Georgia
- Grace
- Hannah
- Hazel
- Imogen
- Iris
- Isla
- Ivy
- Juniper
- Kate
- Kathleen
- Kerry
- Laura
- Lilybet
- Luna
- Mabel
- Mae
- Maggie
- Maisie
- Molly
- Nora
- Ophelia
- Paula
- Priscilla
- Reagan
- Rose
- Sarah
- Sloane
- Tabitha
- Trista
- Willa
- Wren
Sibling Boy Names that go with Maeve
- Maeve and Archer
- Maeve and Asher
- Maeve and Bennett
- Maeve and Brandon
- Maeve and Braxton
- Maeve and Carter
- Maeve and Christopher
- Maeve and Clayton
- Maeve and Cooper
- Maeve and Daniel
- Maeve and Desmond
- Maeve and Dylan
- Maeve and Easton
- Maeve and Elijah
- Maeve and Ethan
- Maeve and Felix
- Maeve and Ford
- Maeve and Gavin
- Maeve and Grayson
- Maeve and Harrison
- Maeve and Holden
- Maeve and Huxley
- Maeve and Isaac
- Maeve and Ivan
- Maeve and Jackson
- Maeve and Jasper
- Maeve and Jett
- Maeve and Jordan
- Maeve and Keegan
- Maeve and Liam
- Maeve and Luca
- Maeve and Mason
- Maeve and Micah
- Maeve and Miles
- Maeve and Noah
- Maeve and Nolan
- Maeve and Owen
- Maeve and Paxton
- Maeve and Presley
- Maeve and Rowan
- Maeve and Ryan
- Maeve and Samuel
- Maeve and Silas
- Maeve and Stephen
- Maeve and Thomas
- Maeve and Tucker
- Maeve and Victor
- Maeve and Wesley
- Maeve and William
- Maeve and Wyatt
Sibling Girl Names that go with Maeve
- Maeve and Abigail
- Maeve and Addison
- Maeve and Beatrice
- Maeve and Blair
- Maeve and Blakely
- Maeve and Camilla
- Maeve and Charlie
- Maeve and Courtney
- Maeve and Daphne
- Maeve and Delilah
- Maeve and Edith
- Maeve and Eleanor
- Maeve and Elizabeth
- Maeve and Emory
- Maeve and Fiona
- Maeve and Frances
- Maeve and Genevieve
- Maeve and Giana
- Maeve and Hazel
- Maeve and Isabelle
- Maeve and Ivy
- Maeve and Jacqueline
- Maeve and Joanna
- Maeve and Julia
- Maeve and Katherine
- Maeve and Kenzie
- Maeve and Laurel
- Maeve and Lucille
- Maeve and Margaret
- Maeve and Meredith
- Maeve and Monroe
- Maeve and Natalie
- Maeve and Nora
- Maeve and Olivia
- Maeve and Ophelia
- Maeve and Penelope
- Maeve and Phoebe
- Maeve and Piper
- Maeve and Reagan
- Maeve and Ryleigh
- Maeve and Samantha
- Maeve and Sierra
- Maeve and Skylar
- Maeve and Sloane
- Maeve and Stephanie
- Maeve and Tabitha
- Maeve and Tessa
- Maeve and Willow
- Maeve and Zara
- Maeve and Zuri
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History of the Name Maeve
In Irish mythology, Medb was a goddess who was later transformed into a warrior Queen of Connacht. Medb was strong-willed, held her own battle, and had an intoxicating effect on men.
Medb is the central character in the famous Irish legend Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). In this tale, she insisted that she was just as wealthy and equal to her husband Aillil. After learning he was one powerful bull ahead of her, she put together an army in the pursuit to steal the magic bull of Ulster. After several battles, Medb took possession of her bull.
The Old-Irish Gaelic name Medb was historically used in Medieval Ireland. The anglicized form Maeve was used by English speaking countries in the 19th century.
According to the Social Security Administration, Maeve first appeared on the popular baby naming charts in 1997. The interest in the name could be correlated with actress Maeve Quinlan who appeared on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful from 1995-2005.
In 2005, the name started to gradually move up the charts. This correlates with the American drama series Criminal Minds that premiered in 2005 and had a character named Maeve. The name has also been popularized by the character in the television series Westworld which premiered in 2016.
As of 2021, Maeve ranks as the 124th most popular girl’s name in the United States.
In Ireland, the spelling version Meabh remains popular.
Famous People with the Name Maeve
| Maeve Dermody | Australian actress |
| Maeve Fort | British diplomat |
| Maeve Higgins | Irish comedian |
| Maeve Jinkings | Brazilian actress |
| Maeve Kinkead | American actress on the soap opera Another World |
| Maeve McGuire | American actress on the soap opera The Edge of Night |
| Maeve Murphy | Irish screenwriter and film director |
| Maeve O’Boyle | Scottish singer-songwriter |
| Maeve O’Donovan | Irish singer |
| Maeve Quinlan | American actress on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful |
Fictional Characters Named Maeve
| Maeve | a character in the novel series The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher |
| Maeve | a character in the novel series Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas |
| Maeve Benson | a character in the television series Make It Or Break It |
| Maeve Donavan | a character in the television series Criminal Minds |
| Maeve Millay | a character in the television series Westworld |
| Maeve Ryan | a character in the American soap opera Ryan’s Hope |
| Maeve Stoddard | a character in the American soap opera Guiding Light |
| Maeve Wiley | a character in the Netflix series Sex Education |
| Queen Maeve | a character in the television series The Boys |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maeve a biblical name?
No, the name Maeve is not a name that is found in the bible and does not have any biblical ties. Maeve is connected to the Irish legend Queen Medb.
Is Maeve a popular name?
The name Maeve did not appear on the popular girl naming charts until 1997. It maintained a moderate level of popularity over the years until recently. As of 2021, Maeve ranks as the 124th most popular girl’s name. While Maeve is still considered a name that is not overly common, it is continuing to rise up on the charts and there’s no telling where it will stop.
Final Thoughts on Middle Names for Maeve
This short and sweet Irish name has found a spot in parents hearts and it’s easy to see why. First appearing on the scene in the late 1990s, Maeve has quickly climbed the charts and landed in a top 200 girl’s name position in 2020.
If you’re considering the name Maeve for your baby girl, we hope our list of middle name ideas has been useful!
MORE MIDDLE NAME IDEAS
Now that you’ve seen all the middle name ideas for Maeve, you might want to check out some middle name ideas for these similar names!
- Middle Names for Eleanor
- Middle Names for Eloise
- Middle Names for Freya
- Middle Names for Juniper
- Middle Names for Mabel
If you’re looking for more middle name ideas, you can find all our lists in our Middle Names section.
For more baby name ideas and inspiration head over to our Baby Names section.
Krissy lives in California with her family of three that make up “The Hadicks.” With a passion for research and helping others, The Hadicks was developed as a resource for other parents and parents-to-be!