Magdalene Girl

Popularity: #783 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAG-duh-leen //ˈmæɡ.də.lɪn//

Origin: Hebrew; Greek

Meaning: Hebrew: of Magdala; Greek: tower

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Magdalene derives from the Hebrew name "Migdāl," meaning "tower," which is associated with Mary Magdalene, a prominent figure in the New Testament. The name transitioned through various languages, first appearing in Greek as "Magdalēnē" and later in Latin as "Magdalena." The English form "Magdalene" emerged in the Middle Ages, influenced by the Latin and Greek versions, and became widely recognized due to its biblical connections.

Mary Magdalene is often depicted as a follower of Jesus Christ, present at significant events such as the crucifixion and resurrection. Her portrayal in the Gospels, particularly in the Gospel of John, where she is described as the first to witness the resurrected Christ, solidified her importance in Christian tradition.

The name gained further prominence through the Vulgate, the late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible, which helped standardize the name in Christian texts and liturgy. Throughout history, the name Magdalene has been associated with themes of redemption and devotion, reflecting the character of Mary Magdalene herself.

In medieval Europe, she became a symbol of penitence and was often invoked in prayers and artistic representations. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as "Maggie," which, while not directly historical, reflects the affectionate adaptations of the name over time.

The enduring legacy of Magdalene in literature, art, and religious practice underscores its cultural resonance, making it a significant name within the Christian tradition.

Famous people named Magdalene

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

We also feature individuals named Magdalene 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.

Magdalene Odundo is a ceramic artist best known for her large-scale vessels and unique glazing techniques.

Magdalene Stowe is a British actress best known for her roles in The Last of the Mohicans, The Edge, and The Christmas Chronicles.

Fictional characters named Magdalene

The following list of fictional characters named Magdalene 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.

Magdalene is a fictional character from the video game series The Binding of Isaac. She is a playable character known for her unique abilities and backstory related to themes of redemption and sacrifice.

Sibling suggestions

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

MiriamRebeccaSarahHannahLeahNaomi

Similar names

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

MagdaMaddieMabelMatildaMeganMiraMina

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Magdalene has ranked as high as #908 nationally, which occurred in 1923, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Kentucky.

In the past 5 years the name Magdalene has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Magdalene 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 Magdalene 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 Magdalene.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 165 165
2024 158 158
2023 140 140
2022 121 121
2021 90 90
2020 112 112
2019 89 89
2018 122 122
2017 109 109
2016 140 140
2015 116 116
2014 134 134
2013 126 126
2012 99 99
2011 107 107
2010 110 110
2009 106 106
2008 102 102
2007 96 96
2006 113 113
2005 115 115
2004 89 89
2003 92 92
2002 67 67
2001 82 82
2000 89 89
1999 78 78
1998 54 54
1997 64 64
1996 77 77
1995 45 45
1994 58 58
1993 51 51
1992 30 30
1991 34 34
1990 39 39
1989 38 38
1988 35 35
1987 32 32
1986 47 47
1985 39 39
1984 33 33
1983 33 33
1982 33 33
1981 23 23
1980 26 26
1979 30 30
1978 20 20
1977 25 25
1976 25 25
1975 28 28
1974 15 15
1973 18 18
1972 19 19
1971 21 21
1970 19 19
1969 30 30
1968 23 23
1967 26 26
1966 21 21
1965 25 25
1964 30 30
1963 31 31
1962 28 28
1961 30 30
1960 29 29
1959 34 34
1958 41 41
1957 33 33
1956 44 44
1955 44 44
1954 43 43
1953 57 57
1952 50 50
1951 53 53
1950 58 58
1949 48 48
1948 53 53
1947 51 51
1946 53 53
1945 47 47
1944 77 77
1943 68 68
1942 75 75
1941 70 70
1940 77 77
1939 62 62
1938 81 81
1937 69 69
1936 90 90
1935 103 103
1934 107 107
1933 116 116
1932 113 113
1931 123 123
1930 146 146
1929 111 111
1928 154 154
1927 127 127
1926 137 137
1925 141 141
1924 172 172
1923 199 199
1922 161 161
1921 174 174
1920 182 182
1919 178 178
1918 185 185
1917 183 183
1916 156 156
1915 151 151
1914 130 130
1913 74 74
1912 87 87
1911 71 71
1910 54 54
1909 63 63
1908 37 37
1907 47 47
1906 35 35
1905 35 35
1904 56 56
1903 33 33
1902 36 36
1901 28 28
1900 32 32
1899 26 26
1898 22 22
1897 27 27
1896 29 29
1895 29 29
1894 29 29
1893 34 34
1892 36 36
1891 33 33
1890 17 17
1889 16 16
1888 19 19
1887 16 16
1886 17 17
1885 20 20
1884 9 9
1883 10 10
1882 12 12
1881 14 14
1880 13 13

Top States for Magdalene (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
OH 12
12%
IN 12
12%
TX 10
10%
TN 8
8%
MN 8
8%
GA 7
7%
PA 7
7%
MI 7
7%
NE 6
6%
CO 6
6%
WI 6
6%
CA 5
5%
MO 5
5%
NC 5
5%