Editing Medb (section)

==Name==
In [[Old Irish]] her name is {{lang|sga|Medb}}; in [[Middle Irish]], {{lang|mga|[[Irish orthography#Diacritics|Meḋḃ]]}}; in [[Early Modern Irish]], {{lang|mga|Meadhbh}} or {{lang|mga|Meaḋḃ}}; and in modern Irish ''Méabh''(''a'') or ''Méibh''. This is generally believed to come from the [[Proto-Celtic language|Proto-Celtic]] ''*medu-'' ("[[mead]]") or ''*medua'' ("intoxicating"), and the meaning of her name has thus been interpreted as "mead-woman" or "she who intoxicates".<ref name="irslinger">Irslinger, Britta. "[https://www.academia.edu/17511465/Medb_the_intoxicating_one_Re-_constructing_the_past_through_etymology Medb 'the intoxicating one'? (Re-)constructing the past through etymology]". ''Ulidia 4: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on the Ulster Cycle of Tales'', 2013.</ref> This is thought to reflect her role as sovereignty goddess. In ancient and medieval Ireland, the drinking of mead was a key part of a king's inauguration ceremony. In myth, a supernatural woman representing the sovereignty of the land chooses a king by offering him an alcoholic drink, thus bestowing sovereignty upon him.<ref>Monaghan, Patricia. ''Goddesses in World Culture''. ABC-CLIO, 2011. pp. 226–227</ref> However, it is also suggested that the name comes from Proto-Celtic {{lang|mis|*medwa}} ("the ruler").<ref name="irslinger"/>

The name has been anglicised as '''Maeve''', '''Maev''', '''Mave''' or '''Maiv'''. There are several [[place names in Ireland]] containing the name Medb. According to Kay Muhr of the Ulster Place-Name Society, some of these names suggest Medb was also an earth and fertility goddess. They include Ballypitmave ({{lang|ga|Baile Phite Méabha}}, "[[townland]] of Medb's [[vulva]]") in [[County Antrim]] and [[Sawel Mountain|Sawel Pitmave]] ({{lang|ga|Samhail Phite Méabha}}, "likeness to Medb's vulva")<ref name="irslinger"/> in [[County Tyrone]], both in northern [[Ulster]]. Other placenames include [[Miosgán Médhbh|Maeve's Cairn]] in [[County Sligo]], Barnavave ({{lang|ga|Bearna Mhéabha}}, "Medb's gap")<ref>[https://www.logainm.ie/en/1410666 Bearna Mhéabha/Barnavave]. [[Placenames Database of Ireland]].</ref> in [[County Louth]], [[Bovevagh|Boveva]] ({{lang|ga|Boith Mhéabha}}, "Medb's huts")<ref>[http://www.placenamesni.org/resultdetails.php?entry=710 Bovevagh]. Place Names NI.</ref> in [[County Londonderry]], [[Cnoc Meadha|Knockmaa]] ({{lang|ga|Cnoc Meá}}, "Medb's hill") in [[County Galway]], Meskanmave ({{lang|ga|Meascán Mhéabha}}, "Medb's lump")<ref>[https://www.logainm.ie/en/s?txt=Measc%C3%A1n+Mh%C3%A9abha&str=on&con=100013 Meascán Mhéabha]. [[Placenames Database of Ireland]].</ref> in [[County Donegal]], Milleen Meva ({{lang|ga|Millín Mhéabha}}, "Medb's knoll")<ref>[https://www.logainm.ie/en/1410346 Millín Mhéabha/Milleen Meva]. [[Placenames Database of Ireland]].</ref> at [[Rathcroghan]] in [[County Roscommon]], and [[Rath Meave]] at [[Hill of Tara|Tara]] in [[County Meath]].