Maeve is one of those names that crossed from literary-niche to mainstream-aspirational in the 2010s, and 71 pet records at rank 1,490 reflect exactly that moment of crossover. Female-leaning, Irish in origin, with a mythology pedigree that owners either know explicitly or absorb as ambient cultural sophistication.
Irish Mythology Roots
Maeve (or Medb) was the warrior queen of Connacht in Irish mythology — fierce, autonomous, politically powerful in an era when those qualities were remarkable. The name's literary revival in contemporary culture (via the Sex Education character, via general Celtic naming trends) brought it from obscure mythology into active use. A dog named Maeve carries that spirit whether or not the owner knows the source.
Human-Pet Crossover
The baby name Maeve has been rising steadily in SSA data through the 2010s and into the 2020s — it's currently in genuine naming fashion. Pet Maeve tracks the same current: owners who love the name but used it for a child, or who know it from a child in their social circle, sometimes land on it for a pet. It's aspirational overlap that the registry captures as a count at the lower end of the charts.
Breed and Sound Fit
One syllable with a long AY vowel — Maeve sounds simultaneously gentle and strong, which suits a breed that has both qualities. Irish Wolfhounds are the obvious breed match; the heritage alignment is almost too neat. But Maeve also suits smaller dogs who carry themselves with outsized dignity — a Miniature Schnauzer named Maeve has excellent energy. Browse Celtic-inspired pet names for similar options.