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Reeve

Boy / Girl name · 20 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Reeve: 20 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to both boys and girls, peaking at 5 births in 2022.

Reeve began as an English surname derived from the Old English *gerefa*, meaning a steward or bailiff—an official who managed a lord’s estate or served as a local magistrate, a role that also existed in medieval Scotland. The name gained wider recognition through actor Christopher Reeve, beloved for his portrayal of Superman, and more recently through actor and musician Reeve Carney. While no significant places bear the name directly, the term shares its root with “sheriff” (shire-reeve). As a given name, Reeve feels both modern and substantial, enjoying modest but steady use in Scotland since the 1970s. The spelling variant Reeves is more familiar as a surname, but Reeve itself has a clean, one-syllable strength that appeals to parents seeking an occupational name with historic gravitas.