Reeve

♂ Boy

Pronounced REEV /ˈriv/High

Meaning: The medieval English official — bailiff, steward, magistrate — from Old English gerefa, the root of 'sheriff'High

In 30 seconds: The sheriff's etymological father: Reeve was the medieval manor's magistrate — Old English gerefa, the 'shire-reeve' who became sheriff. Superman's Christopher Reeve gave the surname wings.

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Origin HighEnglish

MeaningThe medieval English official — bailiff, steward, magistrate — from Old English gerefa, the root of 'sheriff'

U.S. rank (2025)#3494 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births33 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 944

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

Reeve is the Old English gerefa — the manor official who kept accounts and order, whose shire-level cousin became the sheriff. Chaucer's Reeve rides through the Canterbury Tales; Christopher Reeve made the surname soar; and the modern surname-name wave returned it to first-name duty.

It is rare and tailored — one syllable of medieval administration with cape-adjacent shine.

Did you know? 'Sheriff' is literally 'shire-reeve' — this name's job title plus a county; Chaucer gave the Reeve his own Canterbury tale, naming's oldest HR department.

Overall data confidence 90%

Oxford English Dictionary — reeve — word etymology

Variations

ReevesReave

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Reeve Carney (1983-)
American actor and musician who originated roles in the Broadway musicals Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and Hadestown

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By themeenglish surname-name occupational

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Reeve mean?

Reeve is the Old English term for a medieval bailiff or steward — the official whose title survives inside 'sheriff'.

How do you pronounce Reeve?

It's said REEV /ˈriv/ — a single syllable.

Is Reeve a boy or girl name?

Reeve is used mainly as a boy's name.

How popular is Reeve?

Reeve is a rare name in the U.S.