Madden Unisex

Popularity: #573 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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.

AidenBraydenCadenHaydenJadenKadenRaiden

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Madden was first seen in the United States in 1997.

Madden has ranked as high as #1061 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, and Utah.

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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 570 402 168
2024 504 393 111
2023 526 426 100
2022 528 419 109
2021 379 291 88
2020 346 287 59
2019 344 294 50
2018 348 299 49
2017 398 354 44
2016 428 377 51
2015 481 439 42
2014 472 417 55
2013 466 410 56
2012 538 471 67
2011 532 470 62
2010 471 413 58
2009 534 461 73
2008 475 399 76
2007 320 266 54
2006 235 180 55
2005 123 97 26
2004 67 44 23
2003 53 28 25
2002 31 13 18
2001 18 9 9
2000 22 12 10
1999 5 0 5
1998 5 5 0
1997 14 6 8

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 39
10%
TX 37
9%
FL 24
6%
OH 20
5%
MN 20
5%
UT 20
5%
PA 18
5%
NY 14
4%
IL 14
4%
NJ 13
3%
MI 13
3%
OK 12
3%
TN 12
3%
MO 12
3%
LA 11
3%
WA 11
3%
CO 10
3%
IA 10
3%
GA 9
2%
ID 8
2%
IN 7
2%
AL 7
2%
KS 7
2%
MD 7
2%
WI 7
2%
AR 6
2%
KY 6
2%
AZ 6
2%
NC 6
2%
NV 5
1%
VA 5
1%