The nameMadeline
Madeline is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning "woman from Magdala". The English form of Madeleine, it is the heroine of a classic children's book.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
Meaning
Madeline comes from Magdalene, "from Magdala", a town on the Sea of Galilee whose name means "tower".
Origin
Hebrew, through Old French. Mary Magdalene is the disciple who first sees the risen Christ in the Gospels.
History
Ludwig Bemelmans's picture book Madeline (1939) made the name popular in America. It reached the top 50 in the 2000s. Maddie is its short form.
Famous people named Madeline
- Saint Mary Magdalene
- Madeline Kahn, actress
- Madeline, heroine of Ludwig Bemelmans
Popularity of the name Madeline
Madeline in the United States
Madeline was most popular in the United States in the 2000s, with 48,361 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Madeline. Its rise began around 1911, and it peaked in 1998. Half of all babies named Madeline in the United States were born before 1998. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,777 births a year.
Madeline in the United Kingdom
Madeline was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 3,582 births over the decade, 54% of all recorded babies named Madeline. Half of all babies named Madeline 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 rising: 143 births a year on average, against 124 in the five years before.
Madeline in Ireland
Madeline in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Madeline
Names from the same generation as Madeline, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Madeline? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Madeline with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Madeline side by side with the name of your choice.
Madeline in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madeline mean?
Madeline comes from Magdalene, "from Magdala", a town on the Sea of Galilee whose name means "tower".
What is the origin of the name Madeline?
Hebrew, through Old French. Mary Magdalene is the disciple who first sees the risen Christ in the Gospels.
Is Madeline a girl's or a boy's name?
Madeline is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Madeline?
In 2024, Madeline was the 87th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 2,907 births.
What are the variants of the name Madeline?
Variants and related names of Madeline include Maddi.
What are good sibling names for Madeline?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Elizabeth, Ana, Maria and Anna for a sister, Adam, Nathaniel, Aaron and Jesse for a brother.
Who are famous people named Madeline?
Saint Mary Magdalene; Madeline Kahn, actress; Madeline, heroine of Ludwig Bemelmans.