Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Madaline
GirlHebrew, French· “variant of Madeline, "woman from Magdala"”
- Meaning
- variant of Madeline, "woman from Magdala"
- Origin
- Hebrew, French
- Pronunciation
- MAD-uh-lihn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #6,036
- US babies 2025
- 20
- Best rank
- #620 (1906)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Madaline
Madaline is a Hebrew and French name that means “variant of Madeline, "woman from Magdala"”.
Madaline is a spelling of Madeline, the English form of Magdalene, "woman from Magdala," a town on the Sea of Galilee. Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus, made the name widespread. Madeline became popular through the children's books by Ludwig Bemelmans. The spelling Madaline uses an a in the second syllable. It is said MAD-uh-lin. Madeline, Madelyn and Madalyn are related spellings. Maddie is the usual nickname. For many readers the Bemelmans books, with their Paris schoolgirl, remain the strongest association.
Popularity over time
Madaline first appears in US Social Security records in 1885. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 34 different years, starting in 1890. Its best national rank was #620 in 1906, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 114 were named Madaline. In 2025, 20 babies were named Madaline, and it ranked #6,036 nationally. That is 54% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #692 in 1920, #1,516 in 1950, #11,402 in 1980, #2,096 in 2000, #2,396 in 2010, and #6,036 in 2025. Of the 4,990 US girls named Madaline since records began, 16% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 765 babies. Since 2010, 623 more have been named Madaline.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Myrtie, Alvera, Bulah, Lovie, and Elenora.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Madaline is usually pronounced MAD-uh-lihn, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with M and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Madaline
A few middle names that flow with Madaline: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Madaline
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Lists that include Madaline
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madaline mean?
Madaline is a Hebrew and French name that means “variant of Madeline, "woman from Magdala"”.
What is the origin of the name Madaline?
Madaline has Hebrew and French roots. Madaline is a spelling of Madeline, the English form of Magdalene, "woman from Magdala," a town on the Sea of Galilee.
Is Madaline a popular name?
Not especially. Madaline ranked #6,036 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Madaline a boy or girl name?
Madaline is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Madaline?
Madaline is usually pronounced MAD-uh-lihn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings