Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Madilyn
GirlAmerican (modern coinage), French· “of Magdala; variant of Madeline”
- Meaning
- of Magdala; variant of Madeline
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), French
- Pronunciation
- MAD-uh-lihn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #464
- US babies 2025
- 662
- Best rank
- #287 (2012)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Madilyn
Madilyn is an American (modern coinage) and French name that is usually said to mean “of Magdala; variant of Madeline”.
Madilyn is a modern spelling of Madeline, the French form of Magdalene, which refers to Mary Magdalene, meaning a woman from Magdala. Magdala was a town on the Sea of Galilee whose name is linked to a Hebrew word for tower. The -lyn ending gives Madilyn a contemporary American look, like Adelyn and Brooklyn. It is soft and friendly, with Maddie and Maddy as the obvious nicknames. Madeline, Madelyn and Madelynn are closely related alternatives, and each keeps the same pronunciation.
Popularity over time
Madilyn first appears in US Social Security records in 1924. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 28 different years, starting in 1998. Its best national rank was #287 in 2012, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 1,169 were named Madilyn. In 2025, 662 babies were named Madilyn, and it ranked #464 nationally. That is 36% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,178 in 1950, #642 in 2000, #332 in 2010, and #464 in 2025. Of the 23,632 US girls named Madilyn since records began, 43% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 6,936 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Daniella, Maddison, Kiera, Kimora, and Madalyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Madilyn ranked highest in Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Kentucky.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | #223 | 18 |
| South Carolina | #224 | 22 |
| Kentucky | #254 | 18 |
| West Virginia | #257 | 7 |
| Alabama | #259 | 19 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Madilyn is usually pronounced MAD-uh-lihn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-yn”.
Middle names for Madilyn
A few middle names that flow with Madilyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Madilyn
Similar names
Adalyn Girl
AD-uh-lin
“noble (variant of Adeline)” · American (modern coinage)
#260
Emersyn Girl
EH-mur-sihn
“son of Emery; variant of Emerson” · American (modern coinage)
#138
Adelyn Girl
AD-uh-lihn
“noble; variant of Adeline” · American (modern coinage)
#355
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
Katelyn Girl
KAYT-lihn
“form of Caitlin, from Catherine” · American (modern coinage)
#1,077
Madelynn Girl
MAD-uh-lihn
“variant of Madeline, 'of Magdala'” · American (modern coinage)
#524
Joselyn Girl
JAHS-lihn
“from a Germanic tribal name” · Germanic
#1,504
Evelyn Girl
EH-vuh-luhn
“uncertain; from Norman Aveline” · English
#8
Brooklyn Girl
BRUK-lihn
“from the New York borough” · American (modern coinage)
#118
Jocelyn Girl
JAHS-uh-lihn
“from the Gauts tribe” · French
#393
Lists that include Madilyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madilyn mean?
Madilyn is an American (modern coinage) and French name that is usually said to mean “of Magdala; variant of Madeline”.
What is the origin of the name Madilyn?
Madilyn has modern American, French, and Hebrew roots. Madilyn is a modern spelling of Madeline, the French form of Magdalene, which refers to Mary Magdalene, meaning a woman from Magdala.
Is Madilyn a popular name?
Yes. Madilyn ranked #464 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Madilyn a boy or girl name?
Madilyn is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Madilyn?
Madilyn 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