Maeva Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAY-vah //ˈmeɪ.və//
Origin: Polynesian; Tahitian
Meaning: Polynesian: 'welcome'; Tahitian: 'gift'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Maeva has its roots in the Tahitian language, where it means "welcome" or "to welcome." This Polynesian origin reflects the cultural significance of hospitality in many Pacific Island societies. The name entered the Western lexicon primarily through the influence of French colonialism in the 18th and 19th centuries, as Tahitian culture and language began to be documented and popularized in Europe.
The French, who colonized Tahiti, adopted and adapted many local names, including Maeva, which subsequently found its way into the broader French-speaking world. Historically, the name Maeva has been associated with the beauty and allure of the South Pacific islands, often evoking images of tropical landscapes and the warmth of island life.
It gained some recognition in the 20th century, particularly in French-speaking countries, where it was embraced for its melodic sound and positive meaning. The name has also appeared in various literary and artistic works that celebrate Polynesian culture, contributing to its resonance in cultural narratives surrounding the islands.
In addition to its meaning of welcome, Maeva carries connotations of warmth and friendliness, making it a fitting choice for a name that symbolizes hospitality. The name's simplicity and elegance have allowed it to endure across generations, often appealing to those who appreciate its cultural heritage.
While diminutive forms are less commonly noted, the name's phonetic charm lends itself to affectionate variations in informal contexts, reflecting the personal connections it fosters.
Famous people named Maeva
In this section, you will find notable people named Maeva. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Maeva who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Maeva who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Maeva Coucke is a model and beauty queen best known for being Miss France 2018 and Miss Normandie 2017.
Maeva Ghennam is a reality television personality best known for her appearances on the French reality show Les Marseillais.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Maeva, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Maeva. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Maeva was first seen in the United States in 1940.
Maeva has ranked as high as #1198 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Maeva has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Maeva is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Maeva was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Maeva (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 13 | |
| OH | 13 | |
| FL | 13 | |
| TX | 10 | |
| NY | 9 | |
| MO | 8 | |
| NC | 6 | |
| IN | 6 | |
| CO | 5 | |
| IA | 5 | |
| MA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Maeva.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 174 |
| 2023 | 178 |
| 2022 | 132 |
| 2021 | 93 |
| 2020 | 93 |
| 2019 | 82 |
| 2018 | 69 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2016 | 42 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2014 | 47 |
| 2013 | 34 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2011 | 33 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2008 | 23 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2005 | 11 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1940 | 11 |