Find out how popular the first name Neave has been for the last 22 years (from 2003 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Neave by gender

Based on the last 22 years of data, Neave is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Neave.

The history of the first name Neave

The name Neave originated from the Old English word "ne?fa," which translates to "nephew" or "kinsman." This name's roots can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD. It was initially used as a surname to identify someone's relationship to their uncle or aunt.

During the Middle Ages, the name Neave was primarily found in regions of England, particularly in the northern counties. It was not until the late medieval period that it began to transition from a surname to a given name, albeit still relatively rare.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Neave was Sir Neave Fitz-Randolph, a 14th-century English knight who fought in the Hundred Years' War against France. Another notable figure was Neave Butler, a 16th-century English landowner and member of the gentry from Hertfordshire.

In the 17th century, Neave gained some popularity among Puritan families in England, who often chose names with biblical meanings or connotations. It was during this period that the name began to spread beyond its northern English roots.

A famous bearer of the name Neave was Aileen Neave, a British politician and member of the Conservative Party who served as a Member of Parliament from 1959 to 1979. Tragically, she was assassinated by the Irish National Liberation Army in 1979 at the age of 63.

Another well-known figure was Sir Michael Neave, a British Army officer and politician who served as a Member of Parliament and was a close advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. He was born in 1923 and died in a car bombing in 1979, carried out by the Irish National Liberation Army.

In the arts, Neave Brownlow-Dixon was a 20th-century English actress and writer, known for her performances in theater and television productions. She was born in 1919 and lived until 2005.

Despite its historical roots, the name Neave has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, with only a handful of notable individuals bearing it over the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Neave was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Neave, please contact us.

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