Madalena Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mah-dah-LAY-nah /ˌmɑːdəˈleɪnə/
Origin: Portuguese; Italian
Meaning: Portuguese: 'woman from Magdala'; Italian: 'of Magdala'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Madalena has its roots in the Hebrew name מִגְדַּל (Migdāl), meaning "tower." This name was associated with Mary Magdalene, a significant figure in the New Testament, who is often referred to as Mary of Magdala, indicating her place of origin. The name transitioned through various languages, first appearing in Greek as Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnē) and then in Latin as Magdalena.
The Old French form, Madalene, eventually influenced the modern English version, Madalena, which retains the essence of its original meaning while reflecting the linguistic evolution through these languages. Historically, Mary Magdalene has been a prominent figure in Christian tradition, often depicted as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Her presence in the Gospels, particularly in the accounts of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, has made her a symbol of faith and redemption. The name gained further prominence during the Middle Ages, particularly in the context of the cult of Mary Magdalene, which flourished in the 12th century.
This period saw the establishment of numerous churches and shrines dedicated to her, reinforcing the name's significance in Christian culture. Culturally, Madalena has been associated with themes of strength and resilience, reflecting the character of Mary Magdalene herself.
The name has been embraced in various cultures, often linked to artistic representations and literary works that explore the life and legacy of its biblical namesake. In some traditions, diminutive forms such as Lena or Maddie have emerged, but the full form, Madalena, carries a historical weight that connects it to its biblical origins and the enduring legacy of its most famous bearer.
Famous people named Madalena
In this section, you will find notable people named Madalena. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Madalena who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Madalena who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Madalena Alberto is a singer and actress best known for her roles in Evita, Cats, and The Woman in White.
Madalena Igloria is a poet and educator best known for her works in the field of contemporary poetry and her contributions to various literary journals.
Fictional characters named Madalena
The following list of fictional characters named Madalena is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Madalena is a fictional character from the TV series Galavant. She is a strong-willed and cunning woman who plays a central role in the story's romantic and comedic elements.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Madalena, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Madalena. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Madalena was first seen in the United States in 1911.
Madalena has ranked as high as #1324 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in California, Florida, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Madalena has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Madalena is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Madalena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Madalena (2021)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Madalena.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 28 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2000 | 8 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 1998 | 12 |
| 1997 | 8 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 1995 | 11 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1993 | 12 |
| 1992 | 8 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1989 | 5 |
| 1988 | 5 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1980 | 6 |
| 1978 | 11 |
| 1977 | 7 |
| 1976 | 5 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1974 | 6 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1971 | 5 |
| 1970 | 7 |
| 1969 | 8 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1966 | 7 |
| 1965 | 9 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1961 | 7 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 7 |
| 1958 | 11 |
| 1956 | 8 |
| 1952 | 5 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1945 | 7 |
| 1940 | 5 |
| 1939 | 6 |
| 1936 | 10 |
| 1934 | 5 |
| 1933 | 5 |
| 1930 | 7 |
| 1926 | 6 |
| 1925 | 6 |
| 1924 | 7 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1920 | 6 |
| 1919 | 6 |
| 1911 | 5 |