Magdalen Girl
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.
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.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Magdalen was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Magdalen has ranked as high as #742 nationally, which occurred in 1915, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
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.
Top States for Magdalen (2006)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| IN | 6 | |
| PA | 6 |
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 | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2022 | 15 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2013 | 25 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2007 | 29 |
| 2006 | 51 |
| 2005 | 35 |
| 2004 | 37 |
| 2003 | 31 |
| 2002 | 30 |
| 2001 | 41 |
| 2000 | 34 |
| 1999 | 24 |
| 1998 | 25 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1996 | 32 |
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1994 | 15 |
| 1993 | 14 |
| 1992 | 12 |
| 1991 | 17 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1985 | 14 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1978 | 10 |
| 1977 | 10 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 8 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1969 | 6 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1966 | 10 |
| 1965 | 8 |
| 1964 | 8 |
| 1963 | 8 |
| 1962 | 5 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 10 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 17 |
| 1956 | 17 |
| 1955 | 14 |
| 1954 | 11 |
| 1953 | 12 |
| 1952 | 16 |
| 1951 | 24 |
| 1950 | 9 |
| 1949 | 10 |
| 1948 | 11 |
| 1947 | 9 |
| 1946 | 17 |
| 1945 | 13 |
| 1944 | 15 |
| 1943 | 19 |
| 1942 | 27 |
| 1941 | 18 |
| 1940 | 15 |
| 1939 | 26 |
| 1938 | 22 |
| 1937 | 17 |
| 1936 | 20 |
| 1935 | 20 |
| 1934 | 19 |
| 1933 | 23 |
| 1932 | 33 |
| 1931 | 26 |
| 1930 | 46 |
| 1929 | 34 |
| 1928 | 44 |
| 1927 | 43 |
| 1926 | 47 |
| 1925 | 50 |
| 1924 | 69 |
| 1923 | 53 |
| 1922 | 60 |
| 1921 | 64 |
| 1920 | 84 |
| 1919 | 62 |
| 1918 | 74 |
| 1917 | 63 |
| 1916 | 87 |
| 1915 | 92 |
| 1914 | 62 |
| 1913 | 35 |
| 1912 | 46 |
| 1911 | 28 |
| 1910 | 30 |
| 1909 | 21 |
| 1908 | 26 |
| 1907 | 13 |
| 1906 | 26 |
| 1905 | 25 |
| 1904 | 22 |
| 1903 | 19 |
| 1902 | 28 |
| 1901 | 30 |
| 1900 | 18 |
| 1899 | 26 |
| 1898 | 18 |
| 1897 | 26 |
| 1896 | 18 |
| 1895 | 28 |
| 1894 | 31 |
| 1893 | 20 |
| 1892 | 16 |
| 1891 | 18 |
| 1890 | 18 |
| 1889 | 9 |
| 1888 | 12 |
| 1887 | 20 |
| 1886 | 8 |
| 1885 | 7 |
| 1884 | 12 |
| 1883 | 12 |
| 1882 | 7 |
| 1880 | 7 |