From Proto-Southwestern Tai *mɛːwᴬ² (“cat”), from onomatopoeic origin. Cognate with Thai แมว (mɛɛo), Northern Thai ᨾᩯ᩠ᩅ, Lao ແມວ (mǣu), Lü ᦶᦙᧁ (maew), Tai Dam ꪵꪣꪫ, Shan မႅဝ်း (méao), Phake မိဝ် (miw), Ahom 𑜉𑜢𑜰𑜫 (mi0).
ᥛᥦᥝᥴ (máew) (1963 orthography ᥛᥦᥝ́)