| Ciara | Maeve | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | dark, black-haired | She who rules |
| Origin | irish | Irish |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | KEER-ah | MAYV |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| First appeared | 1972 | 1940 |
| Peak year | 2005 (2,325) | 2025 (3,153) |
| In 2025 | 155 | 3,153 |
| Trend | Declining | Near its peak |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Ciara | Maeve |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,089 | 15,893 |
| 2010s | 3,996 | 7,545 |
| 2000s | 12,046 | 4,072 |
| 1990s | 13,068 | 1,450 |
| 1980s | 4,445 | 333 |
| 1970s | 232 | 89 |
| 1960s | 0 | 102 |
| 1950s | 0 | 74 |
| 1940s | 0 | 50 |
Feminine form of the Irish name Ciar/Ciaran, from Old Irish 'ciar' meaning 'black, dark'. Traditionally understood as 'dark-haired' or 'dark complexioned' rather than anything sinister.
Maeve anglicises the Irish Medb, usually interpreted as “she who rules” or “intoxicating.” Queen Medb is a central figure in Irish mythology.
Maeve is more popular than Ciara today: about 3,153 US babies were given the name Maeve in 2025, compared with 155 named Ciara.
Ciara means dark, black-haired (irish origin), while Maeve means She who rules (Irish origin).
In US records, Ciara first appears in 1972 and Maeve in 1940, so Maeve has the longer recorded history.