Magdelena Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: mag-duh-LAY-nuh //ˌmæɡdəˈleɪnə//
Origin: Hebrew; Latin; Spanish
Meaning: Hebrew: 'of Magdala'; Latin: 'tower'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Magdelena has its roots in the Hebrew name Migdal, meaning "tower." This name refers specifically to Mary Magdalene, a significant figure in the New Testament, who is often associated with the town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee. The name transitioned into Greek as Magdalene, which was then adopted into Latin as Magdalena.
From Latin, it made its way into Old French as Madeleine, before finally being anglicized to Magdelena in English. This linguistic journey reflects the cultural and religious significance of the name throughout history, particularly in Christian contexts.
Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, present at both the crucifixion and the resurrection. Her prominence in early Christianity contributed to the name's enduring legacy.
The name Magdalena appears in various forms across different cultures and languages, often linked to themes of redemption and devotion. The 16th century saw the rise of the name in various European countries, particularly in the context of religious art and literature, where Mary Magdalene was often depicted as a symbol of repentance and grace.
Culturally, the name Magdelena has been associated with various saints and has appeared in numerous works of art, literature, and music throughout the centuries. The name's connection to Mary Magdalene has imbued it with a sense of spiritual depth, making it a popular choice in Christian communities.
Additionally, the diminutive form, Magda, has emerged in some cultures, further illustrating the name's adaptability and resonance across different societies. Overall, Magdelena carries a rich historical and cultural significance that reflects its biblical origins and the enduring legacy of its most famous bearer.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Magdelena, 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 Magdelena. 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 Magdelena was first seen in the United States in 1884.
Magdelena has ranked as high as #1232 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in California, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Magdelena has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Magdelena 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 Magdelena was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Magdelena (1995)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 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 Magdelena.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 1998 | 7 |
| 1997 | 15 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1994 | 13 |
| 1993 | 15 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1981 | 11 |
| 1980 | 5 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1975 | 5 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 7 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1961 | 6 |
| 1959 | 5 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1955 | 5 |
| 1952 | 7 |
| 1949 | 5 |
| 1942 | 5 |
| 1919 | 5 |
| 1918 | 5 |
| 1899 | 5 |
| 1897 | 6 |
| 1892 | 5 |
| 1884 | 5 |