Madeleine Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Madeleine Name Meaning

Fact: The French philosopher Marcel Proust immortalized the madeleine cake in his novel “In Search of Lost Time,” where the taste of the cake triggers vivid memories​

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A Deep Dive

Madeleine Overview

Meaning

Woman from Magdala, high tower

Gender

Girl

Origin

French

Etymology

Derived from the French name “Magdalene”

Pronunciation

/ˈmad-lin/ or /ˈmad-lehn/

Popularity

Madeleine is a cherished name in many countries, particularly in France, the UK, and Australia. In the USA, Madeleine was ranked as the 444th most popular name for girls in 2023​

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

9 letters

Numerology

5 (Visionary, Expansive, Adventurous)

Name Styles

Long, Classic, Vintage

Associated Traits

Elegant, sophisticated, artistic, gentle

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Madeleine holds a religious connection as it is derived from the name Mary Magdalene, a prominent figure in Christianity.

Name Day

July 22nd (France)
A Deep Dive

Madeleine Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Madeline, Madelyn, Magdalena, Madalena, Madelina, Magdalene, Madalyn, Madelaine

Common Nicknames

Maddie, Maddy, Lina, Mads, Della, Lene

Diminutives

Maddi, Madie, Leni, Lena, Dellie

Famous People

  • Madeleine Albright
    (American Politician)
  • Madeleine L'Engle
    (American Author)
  • Madeleine Stowe
    (American Actress)
  • Madeleine Carroll
    (British Actress)
  • Madeleine Peyroux
    (American Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Madeleine Elster
    ("Vertigo," Film)
  • Madeleine Swann
    ("Spectre," Film)
  • Madeleine Bassett
    ("Jeeves and Wooster," TV Series)
  • "Madeline"
    (Children's Book)
  • Madeleine
    ("The Missing," TV Series)

Places

  • Madeleine Church
    (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
  • Madeleine Island
    (Quebec, Canada)
  • Madeleine River
    (Quebec, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Madeleine?

The name Madeleine means “high tower” or “woman from Magdala.” People named Madeleine are often thought to be strong, confident, and nurturing.

What Is the Origin of The Name Madeleine?

Madeleine comes from the French form of Magdalene, referring to Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus in the New Testament. The name has roots in Hebrew, originally stemming from the name Magdala, an ancient town on the Sea of Galilee.

Madeleine Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Madeleine in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#3822021#3832022#4442023
Top 3 Rankings#2171998#2311997#2621996

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Madeleine

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023444
(-61 from 2022)
688
(-131 from 2022)
0.03933
2022383
(-1 from 2021)
819
(+1 from 2021)
0.04568
2021382
(+15 from 2020)
818
(+34 from 2020)
0.04566
2020397
(-28 from 2019)
784
(-80 from 2019)
0.04435
2019369
(+7 from 2018)
864
(+32 from 2018)
0.04709
2018376
(-10 from 2017)
832
(-16 from 2017)
0.04474
2017366
(-16 from 2016)
848
(-108 from 2016)
0.04489
2016350
(-47 from 2015)
956
(-111 from 2015)
0.04938
2015303
(-20 from 2014)
1067
(-82 from 2014)
0.05469
2014283
(-6 from 2013)
1149
(+5 from 2013)
0.05873
2013277
(+14 from 2012)
1144
(+53 from 2012)
0.05935
2012291
(+30 from 2011)
1091
(+111 from 2011)
0.05625
2011321
No change from 2010
980
(-13 from 2010)
0.05058
2010321
(+8 from 2009)
993
(-7 from 2009)
0.05065
2009329
(-57 from 2008)
1000
(-252 from 2008)
0.04938
2008272
(+20 from 2007)
1252
(+90 from 2007)
0.06011
2007292
(+45 from 2006)
1162
(+182 from 2006)
0.05490
2006337
(-7 from 2005)
980
(+12 from 2005)
0.04688
2005330
(+2 from 2004)
968
(+9 from 2004)
0.04769
2004332
(-8 from 2003)
959
(-4 from 2003)
0.04753
2003324
(-32 from 2002)
963
(-106 from 2002)
0.04800
2002292
(-11 from 2001)
1069
(-49 from 2001)
0.05413
2001281
(-1 from 2000)
1118
(-36 from 2000)
0.05644
2000280
(-6 from 1999)
1154
(+13 from 1999)
0.05782
1999274
(-57 from 1998)
1141
(-283 from 1998)
0.05861
1998217
(+14 from 1997)
1424
(+123 from 1997)
0.07346
1997231
(+31 from 1996)
1301
(+215 from 1996)
0.06814
1996262
(+19 from 1995)
1086
(+99 from 1995)
0.05664
1995281
(+12 from 1994)
987
(+64 from 1994)
0.05136
1994293
(+92 from 1993)
923
(+261 from 1993)
0.04735
1993385
(+83 from 1992)
662
(+135 from 1992)
0.03358
1992468
(+33 from 1991)
527
(+54 from 1991)
0.02629
1991501
(+75 from 1990)
473
(+71 from 1990)
0.02326
1990576
(+137 from 1989)
402
(+124 from 1989)
0.01957
1989713
(+67 from 1988)
278
(+37 from 1988)
0.01395
1988780
(+25 from 1987)
241
(+24 from 1987)
0.01253
1987805
(+150 from 1986)
217
(+52 from 1986)
0.01158
1986955
(+406 from 1985)
165
(+69 from 1985)
0.00894
19851361
(+173 from 1984)
96
(+22 from 1984)
0.00520
19841534
(+75 from 1983)
74
(+5 from 1983)
0.00410
19831609
(+609 from 1982)
69
(+24 from 1982)
0.00386
19822218
(-60 from 1981)
45
(-2 from 1981)
0.00248
19812158
(-193 from 1980)
47
(-7 from 1980)
0.00263
19801965
(+183 from 1979)
54
(+8 from 1979)
0.00303
19792148
(+89 from 1978)
46
(+5 from 1978)
0.00267
19782237
(+20 from 1977)
41
(+1 from 1977)
0.00249
19772257
(+228 from 1976)
40
(+8 from 1976)
0.00243
19762485
(-425 from 1975)
32
(-10 from 1975)
0.00204
19752060
(-32 from 1974)
42
(+1 from 1974)
0.00269
19742028
(+34 from 1973)
41
(+2 from 1973)
0.00262
19732062
(-73 from 1972)
39
(-1 from 1972)
0.00251
19721989
(+46 from 1971)
40
(-1 from 1971)
0.00248
19712035
(+85 from 1970)
41
(+3 from 1970)
0.00234
19702120
(-249 from 1969)
38
(-6 from 1969)
0.00207
19691871
(-123 from 1968)
44
(-1 from 1968)
0.00250
19681748
(-366 from 1967)
45
(-18 from 1967)
0.00263
19671382
(-31 from 1966)
63
(-2 from 1966)
0.00367
19661351
(-165 from 1965)
65
(-17 from 1965)
0.00370
19651186
(+33 from 1964)
82
No change from 1964
0.00449
19641219
(-163 from 1963)
82
(-21 from 1963)
0.00419
19631056
(-32 from 1962)
103
(-7 from 1962)
0.00518
19621024
(+12 from 1961)
110
(-1 from 1961)
0.00543
19611036
(+37 from 1960)
111
(+11 from 1960)
0.00534
19601073
(-140 from 1959)
100
(-26 from 1959)
0.00481
1959933
(+136 from 1958)
126
(+30 from 1958)
0.00606
19581069
(-85 from 1957)
96
(-15 from 1957)
0.00465
1957984
(-99 from 1956)
111
(-16 from 1956)
0.00529
1956885
(-28 from 1955)
127
(-1 from 1955)
0.00617
1955857
(-5 from 1954)
128
(+5 from 1954)
0.00638
1954852
(-92 from 1953)
123
(-21 from 1953)
0.00618
1953760
(-27 from 1952)
144
(-2 from 1952)
0.00746
1952733
(-18 from 1951)
146
(-3 from 1951)
0.00768
1951715
(-99 from 1950)
149
(-37 from 1950)
0.00807
1950616
(-49 from 1949)
186
(-31 from 1949)
0.01058
1949567
(-23 from 1948)
217
(-14 from 1948)
0.01236
1948544
(+36 from 1947)
231
(+14 from 1947)
0.01326
1947580
(+6 from 1946)
217
(+31 from 1946)
0.01194
1946586
(-2 from 1945)
186
(+29 from 1945)
0.01153
1945584
(+40 from 1944)
157
(+19 from 1944)
0.01166
1944624
(-121 from 1943)
138
(-81 from 1943)
0.01010
1943503
(-76 from 1942)
219
(-66 from 1942)
0.01526
1942427
(+58 from 1941)
285
(+77 from 1941)
0.02050
1941485
(+12 from 1940)
208
(+14 from 1940)
0.01669
1940497
(-13 from 1939)
194
(+2 from 1939)
0.01642
1939484
(+41 from 1938)
192
(+26 from 1938)
0.01693
1938525
(+19 from 1937)
166
(+16 from 1937)
0.01454
1937544
(+67 from 1936)
150
(+34 from 1936)
0.01361
1936611
(+35 from 1935)
116
(+14 from 1935)
0.01077
1935646
(+21 from 1934)
102
(+1 from 1934)
0.00939
1934667
(-85 from 1933)
101
(-21 from 1933)
0.00933
1933582
(+42 from 1932)
122
(+8 from 1932)
0.01166
1932624
(-49 from 1931)
114
(-18 from 1931)
0.01030
1931575
(+17 from 1930)
132
(-3 from 1930)
0.01196
1930592
(-76 from 1929)
135
(-37 from 1929)
0.01157
1929516
(+15 from 1928)
172
No change from 1928
0.01486
1928531
(-40 from 1927)
172
(-30 from 1927)
0.01439
1927491
(-30 from 1926)
202
(-20 from 1926)
0.01634
1926461
No change from 1925
222
(-1 from 1925)
0.01805
1925461
(+3 from 1924)
223
(-1 from 1924)
0.01766
1924464
(+22 from 1923)
224
(+22 from 1923)
0.01729
1923486
(-50 from 1922)
202
(-35 from 1922)
0.01613
1922436
(+6 from 1921)
237
(-5 from 1921)
0.01900
1921442
(+6 from 1920)
242
(+17 from 1920)
0.01891
1920448
(+83 from 1919)
225
(+59 from 1919)
0.01809
1919531
(-21 from 1918)
166
(-14 from 1918)
0.01413
1918510
(+18 from 1917)
180
(+20 from 1917)
0.01497
1917528
(-4 from 1916)
160
(+3 from 1916)
0.01424
1916524
(-60 from 1915)
157
(-20 from 1915)
0.01446
1915464
(-33 from 1914)
177
(+20 from 1914)
0.01729
1914431
(+29 from 1913)
157
(+39 from 1913)
0.01971
1913460
(-54 from 1912)
118
(-12 from 1912)
0.01802
1912406
(+67 from 1911)
130
(+54 from 1911)
0.02216
1911473
(+97 from 1910)
76
(+24 from 1910)
0.01720
1910570
(-107 from 1909)
52
(-14 from 1909)
0.01239
1909463
(+44 from 1908)
66
(+15 from 1908)
0.01793
1908507
(+65 from 1907)
51
(+10 from 1907)
0.01439
1907572
(-119 from 1906)
41
(-16 from 1906)
0.01215
1906453
(+83 from 1905)
57
(+16 from 1905)
0.01819
1905536
(-80 from 1904)
41
(-10 from 1904)
0.01323
1904456
(-14 from 1903)
51
(-1 from 1903)
0.01744
1903442
(+25 from 1902)
52
(+8 from 1902)
0.01869
1902467
(-26 from 1901)
44
(-1 from 1901)
0.01570
1901441
(-4 from 1900)
45
(-13 from 1900)
0.01770
1900437
(-29 from 1899)
58
(+7 from 1899)
0.01825
1899408
(+38 from 1898)
51
(+4 from 1898)
0.02061
1898446
(+3 from 1897)
47
(+4 from 1897)
0.01714
1897449
(-32 from 1896)
43
(-5 from 1896)
0.01732
1896417
(-26 from 1895)
48
(-4 from 1895)
0.01905
1895391
(+13 from 1894)
52
(+4 from 1894)
0.02104
1894404
(+45 from 1893)
48
(+13 from 1893)
0.02034
1893449
(-21 from 1892)
35
(-4 from 1892)
0.01554
1892428
(-27 from 1891)
39
(+1 from 1891)
0.01734
1891401
(+61 from 1890)
38
(+6 from 1890)
0.01933
1890462
(+225 from 1889)
32
(+18 from 1889)
0.01587
1889687
(-184 from 1888)
14
(-11 from 1888)
0.00740
1888503
(-14 from 1887)
25
(+4 from 1887)
0.01320
1887489
(+204 from 1886)
21
(+10 from 1886)
0.01351
1886693
(+100 from 1885)
11
(+3 from 1885)
0.00716
1885793
(-237 from 1884)
8
(-6 from 1884)
0.00564
1884556
(+261 from 1883)
14
(+8 from 1883)
0.01018
1883817
(+13 from 1881)
6
(+1 from 1881)
0.00500
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
1881830
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00506
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Madeleine

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#3252021#2572022#3002023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#3232021#3592022#3922023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3032021#3392022#4092023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1522021#2122022#2542023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4352021#3942022#3212023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5892021#4372022#5772023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#5222021#2882022#4352023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2382021#2742022#3832023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2362021#3132022#4592023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4552021#6462022#6602023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#6042021#4642022#5552023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3852021#6432022#4092023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2402021#2972022#2842023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#4722021#4642022#5742023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#5162021#3342022#4872023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2552021#6102022#3562023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1532021#1902022#1642023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#5972021#3692022#6402023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3952021#4222022#3302023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#5522021#4592022#6422023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3172020#3732021#3162022

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#3672021#7432022#7232023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#7992021#5662022#9242023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#11582021#4912022#11792023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1382021#2502022#1892023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4912021#4572022#3632023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1312014#1142015#2002022

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#6772021#7372022#7402023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1532020#1192022#1282023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2062017#2042018#1642020

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3482020#6682022#2772023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#5632021#5742022#6732023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#7552021#3112022#6712023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6102021#8082022#7072023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#4132020#4572021#5112022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#4712020#4202021#5472023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#6532017#4262018#6482020

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4232019#3352020#3472021

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#3572017#4822019#4602023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3762020#3102021#3702022

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5442008#5252011#5362018

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1002007#1162010#1192015

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4512010#5252013#6212018

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3181998#2872000#3642004

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2141998#1642012#2792015

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1861996#1822011#2122012

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#2012006#2162013#2002017

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1961996#2142005

Popularity Rankings for Madeleine in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#662016#792017#882018

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#782003#5012022#6422023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1182020#1262021#1012022

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#1312021#1452022#1252023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1772021#1632022#1812023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1711966#1771967#1792018

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1962014#1912015#1922017

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1932013#1942016#1972017

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#2842021#2552022#2402023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3392021#2732022#3652023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2972019#3202020#2932021

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3872021#4002022#3762023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4322017#4342018#4242019

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#6612021#5022022#4452023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7112016#5672017#4492018

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#6552019#7992021#9062022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Madeleine a Name for Boys or Girls?

Usually given to girls, Madeleine has a gentle and elegant sound, aligning with its French heritage and literary connections.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Madeleine

Madeleine in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Madeleine Albright (Politician, 1937–2022): The first female U.S. Secretary of State who played a key role in shaping American foreign policy in the 1990s.
  • Madeleine L'Engle (Author, 1918–2007): An American writer best known for her children's book "A Wrinkle in Time."
  • Madeleine Stowe (Actress, born 1958): An American actress recognized for her performances in films like "The Last of the Mohicans" and the TV series "Revenge."
  • Madeleine Carroll (Actress, 1906–1987): A British actress who starred in classic films such as "The 39 Steps."
  • Madeleine Peyroux (Singer, born 1974): An American jazz singer-songwriter whose voice has been compared to Billie Holiday.
  • Madeleine de Scudéry (Writer, 1607–1701): A French writer of the 17th century who was a prominent figure in the literary salons of Paris.
  • Madeleine Sherwood (Actress, 1922–2016): A Canadian actress known for her roles in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "The Flying Nun."
  • Madeleine Elster ("Vertigo," 1958 Film): A mysterious woman who becomes the obsession of a retired detective.
  • Madeleine Swann ("Spectre," 2015 Film): A psychologist and love interest of James Bond who helps him uncover a sinister organization.
  • Madeleine Bassett ("Jeeves and Wooster," 1990 TV Series): A romantic and somewhat naive young woman with a love for poetry and nature.
  • "Madeline" (1939 Children's Book by Ludwig Bemelmans): Follows the adventures of a brave little girl named Madeline living in a Parisian boarding school.
  • Madeleine ("The Missing," 2014 TV Series): A mother desperately searching for her abducted daughter.
  • Madeleine Hightower ("The Mentalist," 2008 TV Series): A no-nonsense CBI agent who often clashes with the show's protagonist.
  • Madeleine Church (Paris, Île-de-France, France): A famous neoclassical church located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.
  • Madeleine Island (Quebec, Canada): An island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, part of the Magdalen Islands archipelago.
  • Madeleine River (Quebec, Canada): A river flowing through the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec.
  • Madeleine Park (Madrid, Spain): A public park in the city offering green spaces and recreational facilities.
  • Madeleine Bay (Alaska, USA): A bay located on the southeastern coast of Alaska, offering scenic views and wildlife.
  • Madeleine Street (Montreal, Quebec, Canada): A notable street in the city's historic district.
  • Madeleine Plaza (Buenos Aires, Argentina): A lively public square in the heart of the city.

Similar Names to Madeleine

Sibling Names for Madeleine

Parents Who Like the Name Madeleine Also Like

That’s a wrap on Madeleine! Hope you loved learning about this beautiful name. Don’t forget to like, share, and comment. See you in the next post!
Helen Doanna

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

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Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

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1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
  • Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
  • Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
  • Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.
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Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

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