Neeve
Meaningradiant · Irish
Neeve is a Gaelic girl name meaning “radiant”, with Irish roots. Irish names are loved for their lilting sound and their links to Celtic saints and legends. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Neeve has the name Eve hiding inside it.
- GenerationNeeve peaked in 1963, which makes it a classic Baby Boomer name. The typical Neeve you'd meet today is about 62 years old.
- HistoryNeeve first shows up in US birth records in 1963, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 62 years since.
US births per million girls, 1963–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Neeve
Neeve is a girl name of Gaelic origin meaning “radiant”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat and ends on an open, friendly vowel, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It hit its peak in the 1960s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Gaelic names
Other spellings of Neeve
More Gaelic girl names
- Girl name: Nora · honor
- Girl name: Hazel · hazel tree
- Girl name: Isla · from Islay
- Unisex name: Riley · rye clearing
- Girl name: Maeve · she who intoxicates
- Unisex name: Kennedy · helmeted head
- Unisex name: Quinn · descendant of Conn
- Girl name: Alana · possibly little rock
Questions about the name Neeve
What does the name Neeve mean?
Neeve means “radiant” and comes from Irish. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Phoebe (“bright, radiant”), Zahra (“radiant, bright”), Neve (“bright, radiant”) and Niamh (“bright, radiant”).
What is the origin of the name Neeve?
Neeve is Gaelic in origin, and its meaning traces back to Irish. Other Gaelic names to consider are Nora (“honor”), Hazel (“hazel tree”), Isla (“from Islay”) and Riley (“rye clearing”).
Is Neeve a boy or girl name?
Neeve is a girl name.
How popular is the name Neeve?
Neeve is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2023. It peaked at #5,891 in 1963, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Neeve?
If you like Neeve, you might also like Neve, Phoebe, Zahra and Niamh. Neve is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Neeve?
Neeve is a Gaelic girl name meaning “radiant”, with Irish roots. Irish names are loved for their lilting sound and their links to Celtic saints and legends. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.