Maive

The given name Maive has its origins in the ancient Celtic languages, specifically in the Irish Gaelic and Manx languages. It is derived from the old Irish word "máev" or "maev," which means "cause of great joy" or "intoxicating." This name dates back to the early medieval period, around the 5th to 8th centuries AD, when it was commonly used among the Celtic peoples of Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Maive was a popular name in early Irish literature and mythology. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name can be found in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, where Maive or Meadhbh was the name of the legendary warrior queen of Connacht. She was a central figure in the epic tale of the Cattle Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge), which dates back to around the 8th century AD.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Maive remained a common name among Irish and Manx families, particularly those of noble or royal descent. One notable historical figure bearing this name was Maive Ní Bhriain (c. 1145-1189), a Gaelic Irish princess and the wife of Diarmait Mac Murchada, the King of Leinster. Her name is recorded in various contemporary Irish annals and chronicles.

In the 16th century, the spelling "Maive" was widely adopted, and the name gained popularity among English-speaking communities as well. One of the earliest recorded English bearers of this name was Maive Arundell (c. 1520-1564), an English noblewoman and a member of the influential Arundell family of Cornwall.

Another notable figure with the name Maive was Maive Ní Ghallchobhair (c. 1670-1707), an Irish noblewoman and the last inaugurated Queen of Bréifne, a medieval Irish kingdom. She played a significant role in the Irish Jacobite wars of the late 17th century and is mentioned in several historical accounts of the period.

In more recent centuries, the name Maive has been less common, but it has still been borne by a few notable individuals. These include Maive Binchy (1939-2012), an Irish novelist, playwright, and short story writer renowned for her novels set in Ireland, and Maive Stokes (1922-2021), an Irish historian and academic who specialized in the study of early Christian inscriptions and manuscripts.