Meadhbh

Meadhbh is the Irish form of the name Maeve and is used as a feminine given name in Ireland and among Gaelic-speaking communities. The name comes from Old Irish Meadhbh, with the exact meaning debated by scholars; proposed roots include associations with mead or with a sense of intoxication or charm, though no single interpretation is universally accepted. In Irish mythology, Meadhbh (often rendered Medb in later texts) is most famous as the queen of Connacht and a central figure of the Ulster Cycle.

The best-known tale involving Meadhbh is the Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), in which she and her husband, Ailill, scheme to secure the Brown Bull of Cooley from Ulster, sparking a war led by the hero Cú Chulainn. The narrative presents Meadhbh as a powerful, politically adept leader whose pursuit of wealth and sovereignty drives much of the epic’s conflict. She is depicted with both strategic acumen and formidable presence, and her character intersects with themes of kingship, sovereignty, and feminine authority in Celtic myth.

Across medieval manuscripts such as the Book of Leinster and various annals, Meadhbh appears in diverse versions and embellishments, reflecting the enduring prominence of her legend in Irish lore. In modern usage, the name continues to be popular in Ireland and in Irish diaspora communities, often Anglicized as Maeve. The figure of Meadhbh remains a cultural symbol of leadership, resilience, and the complexities of dynastic power in Irish storytelling.