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Madeline Girl

Popularity: #87 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationMAD-uh-lin / /ˈmæd.ə.lɪn/

French; Hebrew

Meaning

French: woman from Magdala; Hebrew: tower

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Madeline has its roots in the Hebrew name Magdalene, which means "of Magdala," a town on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The name was adapted into Greek as Magdalēnē, and subsequently into Latin as Magdalena. The transition into Old French occurred in the medieval period, where the name was rendered as Madeleine, which became a popular form in various European languages, including English. The introduction of the name into English can be traced back to the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, when it began to appear in various forms, including Madeline and Madelyn.

Historically, the name is closely associated with Mary Magdalene, a significant figure in the New Testament, who is often depicted as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Her prominence in Christian texts, particularly in the Gospels, has contributed to the name's enduring legacy. The name gained further recognition through literary works, such as the 19th-century novel "Madeline" by Ludwig Bemelmans, which features a spirited young girl in a convent school in Paris. Additionally, the name has been used in various artistic and cultural contexts, reinforcing its presence in Western literature and art.

Culturally, Madeline has been associated with themes of strength, resilience, and femininity, often embodying the qualities of a nurturing and caring figure. The name has also been linked to various saints, particularly Saint Mary Magdalene, who is celebrated for her role in the resurrection narrative. This connection to religious and historical figures has allowed the name to maintain a sense of gravitas and significance throughout the centuries. The diminutive form, Maddie, has also emerged as a familiar and affectionate variant, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry.

Trend Summary

Madeline has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, remaining a classic choice for girls.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Madeleine
  • Maddie
  • Maddalena

International Variants

  • Madeleine (French)
  • Madalena (Portuguese)
  • Magdalena (Spanish)

Famous people named Madeline

Madeline Kahn is an actress and comedian best known for Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Muppet Movie.

Madeline Miller is an author best known for her novels Circe and The Song of Achilles.

Madeline Zima is an actress best known for The Nanny, Californication, and The Handmaid's Tale.

Fictional characters named Madeline

Madeline is a fictional character from the children's book series Madeline. She is a brave and adventurous young girl who lives in a boarding school in Paris.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Madeline was first seen in the United States in 1880. Madeline has ranked as high as #112 nationally, which occurred in 1998, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Madeline has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Madeline (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 333
12%
CA 307
11%
NY 184
7%
FL 141
5%
PA 109
4%
IL 109
4%
GA 98
4%
MA 94
3%
NC 92
3%
NJ 87
3%
OH 85
3%
WA 81
3%
TN 76
3%
VA 76
3%
WI 64
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188022
188114
188229
188331
188451
188541
188645
188753
188880
188988
189096
1891125
1892158
1893190
1894214
1895237
1896279
1897290
1898337
1899316
1900389
1901341
1902355
1903400
1904393
1905412
1906418
1907449
1908457
1909466
1910560
1911628
1912942
19131,084
19141,381
19151,670
19161,644
19171,728
19181,746
19191,659
19201,779
19211,835
19221,732
19231,756
19241,746
19251,506
19261,397
19271,373
19281,253
19291,181
19301,144
1931925
1932900
1933822
1934795
1935714
1936727
1937754
1938847
1939888
1940874
1941940
19421,254
19431,107
1944907
1945782
1946926
1947972
1948939
1949901
1950759
1951747
1952661
1953636
1954588
1955602
1956566
1957514
1958588
1959609
1960573
1961570
1962581
1963512
1964526
1965464
1966424
1967405
1968362
1969358
1970354
1971313
1972271
1973312
1974262
1975270
1976254
1977242
1978227
1979234
1980232
1981256
1982261
1983266
1984288
1985382
1986853
1987875
1988917
19891,167
19901,494
19911,980
19922,269
19932,609
19943,518
19954,430
19964,911
19975,313
19985,869
19994,572
20005,371
20015,222
20025,114
20034,976
20044,767
20054,528
20064,477
20074,705
20084,820
20094,300
20103,604
20113,428
20123,162
20133,371
20143,445
20153,339
20163,280
20172,965
20182,917
20192,861
20202,799
20212,747
20222,698
20232,732
20242,907