Maeva

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-EH-vah /maˈe.va/Low

Meaning: Welcome, greeting of joyLow

In 30 seconds: Maeva is a beautiful Tahitian name meaning welcome, used as both a given name and a traditional greeting in French Polynesia. It has a tropical, musical quality that has spread to France and other French-speaking countries.

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Origin LowTahitian, Polynesian

MeaningWelcome, greeting of joy

U.S. rank (2025)#1403 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births156 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,416

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Maeva comes from the Tahitian language, where it means welcome and is used as a joyful greeting. French Polynesia's cultural connections to France brought the name into French use, and it has spread across Francophone countries as an exotic, beautiful choice.

Maeva is popular in France and French-speaking parts of Switzerland and Canada, and increasingly in English-speaking countries. Its three-syllable tropical sound makes it stand out as genuinely distinctive without being unpronounceable.

Did you know? In Tahitian culture, maeva is used as a welcoming exclamation, similar to welcome or cheers, making this name a living expression of hospitality and joy whenever it is spoken.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Maeva

Variations

MaëvaMaeveMaéva

Nicknames

MaeEvaMavi

Famous Bearers

★Maeva Meline (1985–present)
French singer and actress who starred in the musical Mozart, l'opera rock

If you like Maeva…

Maeve— Irish name of similar sound but different origin

Eva— Same -va ending and European appeal

Tahlia— Polynesian-flavor feminine name

Kalani— Hawaiian/Polynesian feminine name of similar feel

Explore names like Maeva

By themethree-syllable polynesian tropical exotic tahitian

By meaningJoy

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Frequently Asked

What does Maeva mean?

Maeva means welcome in Tahitian, used both as a joyful greeting and as a given name in French Polynesia.

How do you pronounce Maeva?

Maeva is pronounced mah-EH-vah, with three syllables and stress on the second.

Is Maeva a French name?

Maeva originated in Tahiti but became popular in France through French Polynesian cultural connections. It is now widely used in France and Francophone countries.

What are nicknames for Maeva?

Nicknames for Maeva include Mae, Eva, and Mavi.