Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Madeleine
GirlFrench, Hebrew· “woman from Magdala”
- Meaning
- woman from Magdala
- Origin
- French, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MAD-uh-lin
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #455
- US babies 2025
- 679
- Best rank
- #217 (1998)
- Peak year
- 1998
Meaning and origin of Madeleine
Madeleine is a French and Hebrew name that means “woman from Magdala”.
Madeleine is the French form of Magdalene, the epithet of Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus in the Gospels. Magdalene means a woman from Magdala, a town on the Sea of Galilee whose name comes from a Semitic word for tower. Devotion to Saint Mary Magdalene spread the name across medieval Europe, and the French spelling gave it a polished, literary air. The small shell-shaped cakes called madeleines, famously remembered by Marcel Proust, share the name. In English it is often said MAD-uh-lin, while the French say mad-LEN. Madeleine feels classic and refined, with nicknames like Maddie, Mads and Lena.
Popularity over time
Madeleine first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 117 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #217 in 1998, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,424 babies. In 2025, 679 babies were named Madeleine, and it ranked #455 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #449 in 1920, #618 in 1950, #1,969 in 1980, #280 in 2000, #321 in 2010, and #455 in 2025. Of the 45,722 US girls named Madeleine since records began, 23% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 9,924 babies. Since 2010, 14,422 more have been named Madeleine.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Guadalupe, Katelynn, Tatiana, Asia, and Alissa.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Madeleine ranked highest in District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | #84 | 9 |
| Massachusetts | #240 | 24 |
| Connecticut | #243 | 14 |
| New Mexico | #280 | 6 |
| Idaho | #335 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Madeleine is usually pronounced MAD-uh-lin, with three syllables. It has nine letters, starts with M and ends in “-ne”.
Middle names for Madeleine
A few middle names that flow with Madeleine: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Madeleine
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Lists that include Madeleine
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madeleine mean?
Madeleine is a French and Hebrew name that means “woman from Magdala”.
What is the origin of the name Madeleine?
Madeleine has French and Hebrew roots. Madeleine is the French form of Magdalene, the epithet of Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus in the Gospels.
Is Madeleine a popular name?
Yes. Madeleine ranked #455 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Madeleine a boy or girl name?
Madeleine is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Madeleine?
Madeleine is usually pronounced MAD-uh-lin. 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