Maven Unisex

Popularity: #815 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAY-vin //ˈmeɪ.vən//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: Hebrew: one who understands; English: expert

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Maven is believed to have its roots in the Hebrew word "mevin," which translates to "one who understands" or "knowledgeable." This term was adopted into Yiddish, where it evolved to signify an expert or connoisseur in a particular field. The transition of the name into English likely occurred in the 20th century, as Yiddish words began to permeate American vernacular, particularly in urban areas with significant Jewish populations.

The adoption of Maven into English reflects a broader cultural appreciation for expertise and knowledge, particularly in the context of the arts and sciences. Historically, the concept of a Maven has been associated with figures who possess deep understanding and insight, often serving as advisors or guides in their respective domains.

While there are no specific biblical figures or saints directly linked to the name, the broader cultural significance of wisdom and expertise has been celebrated throughout various traditions. The term gained particular prominence in the late 20th century, especially in the context of marketing and social influence, where it was used to describe individuals who are seen as trendsetters or authorities in specific areas.

Culturally, the name Maven encapsulates the value placed on knowledge and discernment, resonating with the idea of mentorship and guidance. It embodies a sense of respect for those who have honed their skills and understanding through experience.

The name's connotations of expertise and insight have allowed it to endure in various contexts, making it a meaningful choice for those who appreciate its historical and cultural significance.

Fictional characters named Maven

The following list of fictional characters named Maven is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

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Maven Calore is a fictional character from the book series Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. He is a prince of the Silver elite who struggles with his identity and loyalties throughout the story.

Maven is a fictional character from the video game series The Elder Scrolls. He is a prominent figure in the lore, known for his role in the political intrigue of the game's universe.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Maven, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Maven was first seen in the United States in 1998.

Maven has ranked as high as #2209 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, and New York.

In the past 5 years the name Maven has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Maven 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 Maven was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Maven.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 165 32 133
2024 176 37 139
2023 204 48 156
2022 145 29 116
2021 136 33 103
2020 109 18 91
2019 107 16 91
2018 101 19 82
2017 100 28 72
2016 93 24 69
2015 58 14 44
2014 85 20 65
2013 54 14 40
2012 41 18 23
2011 27 12 15
2010 24 16 8
2009 17 17 0
2008 22 15 7
2007 10 10 0
2006 14 14 0
2005 16 10 6
2004 13 5 8
2003 15 15 0
2002 29 24 5
2001 24 24 0
2000 5 0 5
1998 5 0 5

Top States for Maven (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 11
17%
CA 11
17%
OH 8
12%
MN 7
11%
NY 7
11%
CO 6
9%
NC 6
9%
AZ 5
8%
MI 5
8%