Mab
MAB
A tiny, fairy-queen name tied to Irish legend and, by later association, to a mischievous dream-bringer in Shakespeare.
Meaning
In the excerpts, Mab is linked to the Irish Meabhdh/Meave, described as a great Irish princess who later became the queen of the fairies. One source also notes a Welsh sense of “baby,” and another treats Mab as related to Mabel rather than as a standalone Christian name. Because of that mixed history, the name’s meaning is best understood as legendary/fairy rather than a single fixed literal meaning.
Origin
IrishWelshfeminine
Fun fact
Shakespeare’s Queen Mab helped keep the name famous, even though the name’s older Irish form had a regal, heroic background.
Confidence: mixed. Sources: History of Christian Names, Girls' Names and Name-Day and Birthday Book, Curiosities of Puritan Nomenclature.