Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Madelyn
GirlEnglish, Hebrew· “of Magdala”
- Meaning
- of Magdala
- Origin
- English, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MAD-uh-lihn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #71
- US babies 2025
- 3,362
- Best rank
- #58 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Madelyn
Madelyn is an English and Hebrew name that means “of Magdala”.
Madelyn is an English spelling of Madeline, which comes from Magdalene, the name of Mary Magdalene in the Gospels. Magdalene means of Magdala, a town on the Sea of Galilee whose name is usually connected with a word for tower. The French form Madeleine gave rise to Madeline, and Madelyn became a popular American spelling in recent decades. The name feels soft and classic, with three flowing syllables. Maddie and Lyn are friendly nicknames. Madeline, Madilyn and Madalyn are related spellings.
Popularity over time
Madelyn first appears in US Social Security records in 1890. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 112 different years, starting in 1893. Its best national rank was #58 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 4,567 were named Madelyn. In 2025, 3,362 babies were named Madelyn, and it ranked #71 nationally. That is 25% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #381 in 1920, #518 in 1950, #1,452 in 1980, #126 in 2000, #76 in 2010, and #71 in 2025. Of the 116,010 US girls named Madelyn since records began, 34% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 32,620 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Valeria, Isabelle, Jocelyn, Payton, and Gracie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Madelyn ranked highest in New Hampshire, Alabama, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | #39 | 25 |
| Alabama | #43 | 69 |
| Maine | #43 | 18 |
| Connecticut | #49 | 53 |
| North Carolina | #51 | 155 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Madelyn is usually pronounced MAD-uh-lihn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-yn”.
Middle names for Madelyn
A few middle names that flow with Madelyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Madelyn
Similar names
Evelyn Girl
EH-vuh-luhn
“uncertain; from Norman Aveline” · English
#8
Emersyn Girl
EH-mur-sihn
“son of Emery; variant of Emerson” · American (modern coinage)
#138
Gracelyn Girl
GRAYS-lihn
“blend of Grace and Lynn” · American (modern coinage)
#466
Madalyn Girl
MA-duh-lihn
“woman from Magdala” · English
#946
Roselyn Girl
ROZ-lin
“rose; blend of Rose and Lyn” · English
#979
Lillian Girl
LIH-lee-uhn
“possibly from Elizabeth; linked to lily” · English
#57
Jessica Girl
JEH-sih-kuh
“coined by Shakespeare; possibly from Iscah” · English
#665
Eliza Girl
ih-LY-zuh
“short for Elizabeth, 'my God is an oath'” · English
#115
Lilian Girl
LIH-lee-uhn
“possibly from Elizabeth; linked to lily” · English
#560
Marilyn Girl
MEH-ruh-luhn
“blend of Mary and Lynn” · English
#761
Emily Girl
EH-muh-lee
“rival, striving” · Latin
#34
Abigail Girl
A-buh-gayl
“my father is joy” · Hebrew
#41
Lists that include Madelyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madelyn mean?
Madelyn is an English and Hebrew name that means “of Magdala”.
What is the origin of the name Madelyn?
Madelyn has English and Hebrew roots. Madelyn is an English spelling of Madeline, which comes from Magdalene, the name of Mary Magdalene in the Gospels.
Is Madelyn a popular name?
Yes. Madelyn ranked #71 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Madelyn a boy or girl name?
Madelyn is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Madelyn?
Madelyn 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