Meabh Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAYV //mɛv//
Origin: Irish; Gaelic
Meaning: intoxicating; she who intoxicates
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meabh, pronounced "Maeve," has its roots in the Old Irish name "Medb," which is derived from the Proto-Celtic *Medu, meaning "intoxicating" or "she who rules." This name has been preserved in various forms throughout history, including the Latinized version "Medb" found in early medieval texts. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Irish mythology and literature, particularly during the 19th century when interest in Celtic culture surged, leading to the adoption of the name in English-speaking contexts.
Historically, Meabh is most famously associated with the legendary Queen Medb of Connacht, a central figure in the epic tale "Táin Bó Cúailnge" (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), which dates back to the early medieval period. This narrative, part of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, depicts her as a powerful and ambitious ruler who instigates conflict to obtain a prized brown bull.
The story of Queen Medb has been influential in shaping the cultural perception of female leadership and strength in Irish folklore. Culturally, the name Meabh has resonated through centuries as a symbol of femininity and authority, often embodying themes of sovereignty and desire.
The character of Medb has been interpreted in various ways in literature and art, representing both the complexities of womanhood and the archetype of the warrior queen. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as "Maeve," which have gained traction in literary and popular contexts, further cementing its place in the cultural lexicon.
Overall, Meabh's enduring legacy is intertwined with Ireland's rich mythological heritage and its exploration of gender roles.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meabh, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meabh was first seen in the United States in 1999.
Meabh has ranked as high as #1346 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Meabh has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meabh 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 Meabh was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Meabh
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.
No state data available for this year.
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 Meabh.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 1999 | 5 |