Magdalen Girl

Popularity: #933 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAG-duh-len //ˈmæɡ.də.lən//

Origin: Hebrew; Greek; Latin

Meaning: Hebrew: of Magdala; Greek: tower; Latin: woman from Magdala

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Magdalen originates from the Hebrew name Migdal, meaning "tower." This term was adopted into Greek as Magdalene, which referred specifically to Mary Magdalene, a significant figure in the New Testament. The name entered Latin as Magdalena, which was then adapted into Old French as Magdalen, before making its way into Middle English.

The association with Mary Magdalene, who is often depicted as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, has been a pivotal factor in the name's historical significance and usage in Christian contexts. Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels as a witness to the crucifixion and the first to see the resurrected Christ, which has led to her veneration as a saint in various Christian traditions.

The name Magdalen became particularly prominent in the Middle Ages, as devotion to Mary Magdalene grew, and it was often used in religious contexts. The name appears in various forms in medieval texts and was popularized through works such as the "Golden Legend," a collection of hagiographies compiled in the 13th century, which further solidified her status in Christian lore.

Culturally, the name Magdalen has been associated with themes of redemption and transformation, reflecting the narrative of Mary Magdalene's life. In art and literature, she is frequently depicted as a symbol of penitence and devotion, which has contributed to the name's enduring resonance in Christian culture.

Additionally, the name has several diminutive forms, such as Maggie or Magda, which have also been used historically. Overall, the name Magdalen carries a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance, rooted deeply in religious tradition.

Famous people named Magdalen

In this section, you will find notable people named Magdalen. 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 Magdalen who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Magdalen 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.

Magdalen Berns is a YouTuber and activist best known for her videos on gender identity and feminism.

Magdalen Nabb was a writer best known for her crime novels featuring the character Marshal Guarnaccia.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Magdalen, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MadeleineMargaretMiriamMatildaMargoMabel

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Magdalen. 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.

MagdaleneMadelineMarilynMirabelMarleneMeganMaraMaraiah

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Magdalen was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Magdalen has ranked as high as #1265 nationally, which occurred in 1915, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New York, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.

In the past 5 years the name Magdalen has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Magdalen 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 Magdalen 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 Magdalen.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 15 15
2024 9 9
2023 11 11
2022 15 15
2021 8 8
2020 15 15
2019 24 24
2018 11 11
2017 19 19
2016 30 30
2015 29 29
2014 28 28
2013 25 25
2012 20 20
2011 24 24
2010 20 20
2009 28 28
2008 23 23
2007 29 29
2006 51 51
2005 35 35
2004 37 37
2003 31 31
2002 30 30
2001 41 41
2000 34 34
1999 24 24
1998 25 25
1997 17 17
1996 32 32
1995 20 20
1994 15 15
1993 14 14
1992 12 12
1991 17 17
1990 10 10
1989 10 10
1988 12 12
1987 10 10
1986 5 5
1985 14 14
1984 6 6
1983 8 8
1982 8 8
1981 11 11
1980 11 11
1979 6 6
1978 10 10
1977 10 10
1976 6 6
1975 8 8
1973 9 9
1972 6 6
1969 6 6
1968 7 7
1967 7 7
1966 10 10
1965 8 8
1964 8 8
1963 8 8
1962 5 5
1961 13 13
1960 5 5
1959 10 10
1958 8 8
1957 17 17
1956 17 17
1955 14 14
1954 11 11
1953 12 12
1952 16 16
1951 24 24
1950 9 9
1949 10 10
1948 11 11
1947 9 9
1946 17 17
1945 13 13
1944 15 15
1943 19 19
1942 27 27
1941 18 18
1940 15 15
1939 26 26
1938 22 22
1937 17 17
1936 20 20
1935 20 20
1934 19 19
1933 23 23
1932 33 33
1931 26 26
1930 46 46
1929 34 34
1928 44 44
1927 43 43
1926 47 47
1925 50 50
1924 69 69
1923 53 53
1922 60 60
1921 64 64
1920 84 84
1919 62 62
1918 74 74
1917 63 63
1916 87 87
1915 92 92
1914 62 62
1913 35 35
1912 46 46
1911 28 28
1910 30 30
1909 21 21
1908 26 26
1907 13 13
1906 26 26
1905 25 25
1904 22 22
1903 19 19
1902 28 28
1901 30 30
1900 18 18
1899 26 26
1898 18 18
1897 26 26
1896 18 18
1895 28 28
1894 31 31
1893 20 20
1892 16 16
1891 18 18
1890 18 18
1889 9 9
1888 12 12
1887 20 20
1886 8 8
1885 7 7
1884 12 12
1883 12 12
1882 7 7
1880 7 7

Top States for Magdalen (2019)

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
MI 5
100%