The nameMadeleine
Madeleine is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "woman from Magdala". Elegant and French, it is popular in Britain.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Madeleine comes from Magdalene, "from Magdala", a town on the Sea of Galilee.
Origin
Hebrew, through French. Mary Magdalene is the first witness of the resurrection in the Gospels.
History
Madeleine reached the top 70 in England and Wales. Proust's madeleine, the cake of In Search of Lost Time, is a famous use of the word.
Did you know?
- Madeleine Albright became the first woman to serve as US Secretary of State, in 1997.
- Madeleine L'Engle won the Newbery Medal for A Wrinkle in Time in 1963.
Famous people named Madeleine
- Saint Mary Magdalene
- Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State
- Madeleine L'Engle, writer
- Madeleine Stowe, actress
Popularity of the name Madeleine
Madeleine in the United States
Madeleine was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 10,625 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Madeleine. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 1998. Half of all babies named Madeleine in the United States were born before 2001. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 764 births a year on average, against 913 in the five years before.
Madeleine in the United Kingdom
Madeleine was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 6,973 births over the decade, 53% of all recorded babies named Madeleine. Half of all babies named Madeleine in the United Kingdom were born before 2006, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 185 births a year on average, against 223 in the five years before.
Madeleine in France
Madeleine in Belgium
Madeleine in Austria
Madeleine in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Madeleine
Names from the same generation as Madeleine, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Madeleine? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Madeleine with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Madeleine side by side with the name of your choice.
Madeleine in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madeleine mean?
Madeleine comes from Magdalene, "from Magdala", a town on the Sea of Galilee.
What is the origin of the name Madeleine?
Hebrew, through French. Mary Magdalene is the first witness of the resurrection in the Gospels.
Is Madeleine a girl's or a boy's name?
Madeleine is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Madeleine?
In 2024, Madeleine was the 438th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 707 births.
What are the variants of the name Madeleine?
Variants and related names of Madeleine include Maddie, Maddy, Madelyn, Mady, Magdalena and Magdeleine.
What are good sibling names for Madeleine?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Marie, Joanna, Noemi and Lea for a sister, Sam, Emanuel, Nathanael and Noé for a brother.
Who are famous people named Madeleine?
Saint Mary Magdalene; Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State; Madeleine L'Engle, writer; Madeleine Stowe, actress.