Madden Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAD-en //ˈmæd.ən//
Origin: Irish; English
Meaning: Irish: little dog; English: son of Maedhbh
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Madden is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname "O'Madain," which means "descendant of Madain." The root of the name, "Madain," is believed to be derived from the word "madra," meaning "dog" in Irish, suggesting a possible association with loyalty or fierceness. The transition of the name into English occurred through the anglicization of Gaelic names during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly as Irish surnames were adapted to fit English phonetics and spelling conventions.
This process often involved the dropping of prefixes and alterations in spelling, leading to the modern form "Madden." Historically, the name Madden has been associated with various notable figures in Irish history. One significant milestone is the presence of the O'Madain family in medieval Ireland, where they were part of the Gaelic nobility.
The name appears in various historical records, including the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history compiled in the 17th century. Additionally, the name has been borne by several saints, contributing to its cultural significance within the Irish Catholic tradition.
Culturally, the name Madden carries connotations of heritage and identity, particularly within Irish communities. It is often associated with themes of kinship and loyalty, reflective of the name's etymological roots.
The name's endurance can also be attributed to its connection to Irish folklore and the cultural revival movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, which sought to preserve and celebrate Irish heritage. In some contexts, diminutive forms such as "Maddie" may be used, though these are less formal and not as historically significant as the original surname.
Famous people named Madden
In this section, you will find notable people named Madden. 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 Madden who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Madden 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.
Madden Amis is a British author best known for his novels and contributions to contemporary literature.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Madden, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Madden was first seen in the United States in 1997.
Madden has ranked as high as #920 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Utah, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Madden has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Madden 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 Madden was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Madden (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 33 | |
| TX | 27 | |
| UT | 20 | |
| OH | 20 | |
| FL | 19 | |
| MN | 15 | |
| IL | 14 | |
| MI | 13 | |
| PA | 13 | |
| TN | 12 | |
| MO | 12 | |
| OK | 12 | |
| WA | 11 | |
| LA | 11 | |
| IA | 10 |
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 Madden.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 392 |
| 2023 | 426 |
| 2022 | 419 |
| 2021 | 291 |
| 2020 | 287 |
| 2019 | 294 |
| 2018 | 299 |
| 2017 | 354 |
| 2016 | 377 |
| 2015 | 439 |
| 2014 | 417 |
| 2013 | 410 |
| 2012 | 471 |
| 2011 | 470 |
| 2010 | 413 |
| 2009 | 461 |
| 2008 | 399 |
| 2007 | 266 |
| 2006 | 180 |
| 2005 | 97 |
| 2004 | 44 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 1998 | 5 |
| 1997 | 6 |