Magdala Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAG-duh-lah //ˈmæɡ.də.lə//
Origin: Hebrew; Aramaic
Meaning: Hebrew: 'tower'; Aramaic: 'from Magdala'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Magdala is derived from the Hebrew word "migdal," meaning "tower." This etymological root is significant as it refers to the ancient town of Magdala, located on the shores of the Sea of Galilee in present-day Israel. The name entered the Greek language as "Magdala" (Μαγdala), which was then adopted into Latin as "Magdala" before making its way into English.
The transition through these languages reflects the historical and cultural exchanges in the region, particularly during the periods of Hellenistic and Roman influence. Magdala is notably associated with Mary Magdalene, a prominent figure in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.
She is often depicted as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, and her presence in biblical narratives has contributed to the name's enduring significance. The earliest references to Mary Magdalene appear in the Gospels, which were composed in the first century CE.
Her portrayal has evolved over centuries, influencing various artistic and literary works, including the King James Bible, published in 1611, which helped to solidify her role in Christian tradition. Culturally, the name Magdala carries connotations of strength and resilience, symbolized by its literal meaning of "tower." This association has allowed the name to resonate within various religious and artistic contexts, often representing themes of redemption and faith.
The name has also inspired various diminutive forms and related names in different cultures, reflecting its adaptability and the broader significance of its biblical connections. Overall, Magdala embodies a rich historical and cultural legacy that continues to be recognized in religious and literary traditions.
Fictional characters named Magdala
The following list of fictional characters named Magdala 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.
Magdala is a fictional character from the video game series Fire Emblem. She is a prominent character in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, serving as a member of the Church of Seiros and playing a key role in the game's narrative.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Magdala, 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 Magdala. 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 Magdala was first seen in the United States in 1981.
Magdala has ranked as high as #1153 nationally, which occurred in 1986, and has been most popular in Florida, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Magdala has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Magdala 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 Magdala was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Magdala (2005)
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 Magdala.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1991 | 7 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1981 | 5 |