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Baby names

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Original poster

Maeve if it rhymes with Dave? Or May?

31 replies

RuthB4 · 14/02/2017 03:28

My second baby is due in May. We don't know if we're having a boy or a girl but we have a boys name sorted.

At the moment, for a girl, we're trying to decide between the names Maeve and May, and i have reservations about both!

I think Maeve is such a beautiful name and we'd call her Mae as a nickname. I like the idea of her having the choice of going by either Maeve or Mae as she grows up.
My only hesitations are that a) We're not Irish! Does that matter? And b) My hubby is Dave. ....Maeve and Dave??! Does it matter that they rhyme?! We'd be calling her Mae lots anyway.

The other option is May which I think is really sweet and pretty. But I have a feeling it's really popular? Also, I'm not sure if May translates so well for an adult? It's perfect for a little girl. ...but a 35 year old woman?? Maeve seems more of a name that would be taken seriously as a woman.
Also, she'll be born in May. ....is it stupid to then call her May??

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Paninotogo · 15/02/2017 04:07

Maeve and Dave. Snort. Good for guinea pigs.

Original poster
RuthB4 · 15/02/2017 02:55

Appalachian, thanks for the comments. I have heard of the mythology but have to confess that I've only just googled it and read the full story Confused She doesn't sound like a very nice person! It does make me think twice.

It's funny because i only really thought about saying Dave and Maeve in the same sentence as she is little: Dave is taking Maeve for a walk.... Dave is feeding Maeve... but, yes, I forgot there will be a lot of staircase yelling. Hmmmm.....

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 15/02/2017 00:10

I know a couple called Maeve & Dave

Maeve is lovely, and I really don't think it matters that it rhymes with her dad's name. My name has a similar sound to one of my DC and nobody has ever commented on it.

Maeve goes very well with Beth too.

AppalachianWalzing · 14/02/2017 23:20

I'm Irish, and TBH I would think it odd using an Irish name if you weren't - do you know the story of queen Maeve? The mythology behind it? Also, most Maeves I know get annoyed by people in other countries mishearing and calling them May so I do think shortening it would be a little awkward: just naming her Mae would be a better choice if she'll be called May day to day anyway.

Re: your husbands name, I know a Maeve who I worked with in a part-time job alongside a Dave and they both got quite pissed off with constantly mishearing: ('Maeve could you grab that from the stock room- no, I wasn't calling you Dave') so from that POV, I'd think seriously how often you'll be yelling 'dave' or 'maeve' up a staircase and consider that it might irritate them both in time.

That being said I like both names.

Original poster
RuthB4 · 14/02/2017 21:19

Thanks so much everyone! Your feedback has been so helpful!

I actually feel reassured about both names. I know some of you think Maeve/Dave might be an issue but I'm starting to think it's not that big a deal and not enough of a reason not to give her the name. She's not always going to be paired with Daddy after all. I know my DH and my sister don't think it's an issue at all.

But you've also reassured me about May as a name and now I'm torn between the two! Haha! I think they have slightly different vibes and I guess I need to decide which vibe I like best. Her big sister is Beth.

OP posts:
lemonzest123 · 14/02/2017 16:52

I loooove Maeve (to ryhme with Dave) such a pretty name 😀

MrsMarigold · 14/02/2017 16:49

Nice name, I know one who has just turned 40. Always thought Maeve rhymes with knave.

lindylove14 · 14/02/2017 16:43

There are lots of under 14s with May as a middle name but I can't think of any who use it as a first name.

spankhurst · 14/02/2017 16:40

Both are beautiful, I would choose May but Maeve is adorable too.

Florrie21 · 14/02/2017 16:39

I personally wouldn't do Dave and Maeve I don't think and I prefer Mae born in May. Lovely names though, good luck.

Florrie21 · 14/02/2017 16:37

Why not just grow with Mae? It's gorgeous.

pishedoff · 14/02/2017 15:02

Ah yes Rue! BlushGrin

marmitecheesetoast · 14/02/2017 12:12

I love both names, and think makes more sense to use May when born in that month anyway! I would probably go for Maeve because as you say it gives the option of Mae or Maeve. Both are lovely though.

I don't think the Maeve/Dave thing would really be a problem?

RueDeDay · 14/02/2017 12:11

pished I think you are thinking of the colour, mauve!

EggsEleven · 14/02/2017 12:06

I don't think it matters if you're not Irish if you spell it Maeve. Would be different if it was spelt Meabh.

I love the name Maeve but it is a bit unfortunate paired with Dave. Dave and Maeve does sound like a bit of intentional ryhming.

May/Mae is also a lovely name. I would probably go with that due to the Dave issue.

Ordinarily · 14/02/2017 12:02

I like May and it's underused as a first name. I don't think it makes any difference whether May is the birth month or not.

pishedoff · 14/02/2017 11:16

Oh well you learn something new every day, I've never known a Maeve but always imagined it to sound like that!

NarkyMcDinkyChops · 14/02/2017 11:14

I would pronounce Maeve as Mow-ve? Am I wrong?!

Yes, rather wrong.

NarkyMcDinkyChops · 14/02/2017 11:14

You don't have to be Irish to use an Irish name (despite how often its said on MN). You wouldn't think you'd need to be greek to use Katherine, or french to use Michelle, would you?

pishedoff · 14/02/2017 11:12

I would pronounce Maeve as Mow-ve? Am I wrong?!

The shortened version of DS2's name ( and the one he's commonly known as) rhymes perfectly with DH name Grin

babyinthacorner · 14/02/2017 11:12

Well... my Nanny was Mary but known as May (only found out she was Mary at her funeral!), born in May AND was Irish! So I'm biased, but I think May is lovely 😊

Also like Maeve - she's a badass character from Westworld so DH and I considered it for our baby!

Mrsknackered · 14/02/2017 11:07

Both are very cute and age well!

Notso · 14/02/2017 11:05

The Maeve I know says it more like Meeve than Mave.

Jojo13 · 14/02/2017 10:46

I think Maeve is lovely and wouldn't even think of shortening it to May/e as it's short and punchy enough as it is. Definitely wouldn't bother me the Dave rhyming thing,

TheTartOfAsgard · 14/02/2017 10:00

I love May as a first name - the only one I know is a Chinese girl I went to college with (spelt Mai).

Maeve is also lovely, easy to spell pronounce and as you said although it's Irish it's one of those names like Sinead, Niamh and Aisling that translate well.