Madeline Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

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

Fact: The name Madeline gained widespread recognition from Ludwig Bemelmans’ beloved children’s book series “Madeline”​

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A Deep Dive

Madeline Overview

Meaning

High tower, woman from Magdala

Gender

Girl

Origin

Greek, English, Hebrew

Etymology

Rooted from the Greek name Magdalēnē. Over time, it evolved through the Latin Magdalena and the Old French Madeleine.

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈmæd.ə.lɪn/

Popularity

Madeline has a strong presence globally, being a top choice in several countries including Australia and Canada. It was the 94th most popular name in the USA in 2023.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Classic, Traditional, Cool

Associated Traits

Graceful, artistic, diligent

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Associated with St Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus in the New Testament

Name Day

July 22nd, in honor of St. Mary Magdalene
A Deep Dive

Madeline Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Alison, Alisson, Allyson, Alyson, Alicen

Common Nicknames

Allie, Alli, Al, Aly, Lissie

Diminutives

Ali, Ally, Elsie, Lisa, Lizzie

Famous People

  • Allison Janney
    (American Actress)
  • Allison Stokke
    (American Pole Vaulter and Fitness Model)
  • Allison Iraheta
    (American Singer)
  • Allison Harvard
    (American Model and Artist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Allison Reynolds
    ("The Breakfast Club," Film)
  • "Allison's Wonderland"
    (Novel)
  • Allison Argent
    ("Teen Wolf," TV Series)
  • "Allison Road"
    (Song)

Places

  • Madeline Island
    (Wisconsin, USA)
  • Madeline Street
    (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
  • Madeline Park
    (El Paso, Texas, USA)
  • Madeline Lake
    (British Columbia, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Madeline?

Madeline means “high tower” or “woman from Magdala.” Those with this name are often seen as elegant and poised, suggesting a blend of sophistication and grace.

What Is the Origin of The Name Madeline?

Madeline originates from the Hebrew name Magdalene, referring to Mary Magdalene in the New Testament.

Madeline Name Popularity

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

United States flagUnited States#952021#1022022#942023
Top 3 Rankings#501998#562000#562001

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Madeline

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202394
(+8 from 2022)
2726
(+31 from 2022)
0.15584
2022102
(-7 from 2021)
2695
(-49 from 2021)
0.15030
202195
(+1 from 2020)
2744
(-50 from 2020)
0.15316
202096
(+2 from 2019)
2794
(-66 from 2019)
0.15806
201998
(+2 from 2018)
2860
(-57 from 2018)
0.15587
2018100
(-1 from 2017)
2917
(-46 from 2017)
0.15686
201799
(-10 from 2016)
2963
(-317 from 2016)
0.15684
201689
(+2 from 2015)
3280
(-57 from 2015)
0.16943
201591
(-2 from 2014)
3337
(-108 from 2014)
0.17105
201489
(+1 from 2013)
3445
(+74 from 2013)
0.17610
201390
(+6 from 2012)
3371
(+210 from 2012)
0.17487
201296
(-11 from 2011)
3161
(-267 from 2011)
0.16298
201185
(-8 from 2010)
3428
(-176 from 2010)
0.17691
201077
(-13 from 2009)
3604
(-696 from 2009)
0.18381
200964
(-8 from 2008)
4300
(-519 from 2008)
0.21234
200856
(+5 from 2007)
4819
(+114 from 2007)
0.23136
200761
(+10 from 2006)
4705
(+228 from 2006)
0.22230
200671
(-1 from 2005)
4477
(-51 from 2005)
0.21416
200570
(-7 from 2004)
4528
(-239 from 2004)
0.22310
200463
(-2 from 2003)
4767
(-208 from 2003)
0.23625
200361
(-5 from 2002)
4975
(-139 from 2002)
0.24795
200256
No change from 2001
5114
(-108 from 2001)
0.25894
200156
No change from 2000
5222
(-149 from 2000)
0.26361
200056
(+14 from 1999)
5371
(+799 from 1999)
0.26912
199970
(-20 from 1998)
4572
(-1297 from 1998)
0.23485
199850
(+9 from 1997)
5869
(+556 from 1997)
0.30276
199759
(+8 from 1996)
5313
(+402 from 1996)
0.27828
199667
(+12 from 1995)
4911
(+481 from 1995)
0.25615
199579
(+13 from 1994)
4430
(+912 from 1994)
0.23054
199492
(+35 from 1993)
3518
(+909 from 1993)
0.18047
1993127
(+12 from 1992)
2609
(+340 from 1992)
0.13233
1992139
(+12 from 1991)
2269
(+289 from 1991)
0.11319
1991151
(+47 from 1990)
1980
(+486 from 1990)
0.09737
1990198
(+39 from 1989)
1494
(+327 from 1989)
0.07272
1989237
(+37 from 1988)
1167
(+250 from 1988)
0.05858
1988274
(+6 from 1987)
917
(+42 from 1987)
0.04768
1987280
(+10 from 1986)
875
(+22 from 1986)
0.04669
1986290
(+233 from 1985)
853
(+471 from 1985)
0.04622
1985523
(+95 from 1984)
382
(+94 from 1984)
0.02069
1984618
(+28 from 1983)
288
(+22 from 1983)
0.01597
1983646
(+29 from 1982)
266
(+4 from 1982)
0.01486
1982675
(+3 from 1981)
262
(+6 from 1981)
0.01444
1981678
(+43 from 1980)
256
(+24 from 1980)
0.01431
1980721
(-5 from 1979)
232
(-3 from 1979)
0.01303
1979716
(-18 from 1978)
235
(+8 from 1978)
0.01364
1978698
(-39 from 1977)
227
(-15 from 1977)
0.01381
1977659
(-43 from 1976)
242
(-12 from 1976)
0.01471
1976616
(-20 from 1975)
254
(-16 from 1975)
0.01616
1975596
(+5 from 1974)
270
(+8 from 1974)
0.01730
1974601
(-64 from 1973)
262
(-50 from 1973)
0.01673
1973537
(+54 from 1972)
312
(+41 from 1972)
0.02008
1972591
(-28 from 1971)
271
(-44 from 1971)
0.01681
1971563
(-29 from 1970)
315
(-39 from 1970)
0.01797
1970534
(-15 from 1969)
354
(-4 from 1969)
0.01932
1969519
(-7 from 1968)
358
(-4 from 1968)
0.02031
1968512
(-42 from 1967)
362
(-43 from 1967)
0.02117
1967470
(-13 from 1966)
405
(-19 from 1966)
0.02359
1966457
(-19 from 1965)
424
(-40 from 1965)
0.02415
1965438
(-10 from 1964)
464
(-62 from 1964)
0.02539
1964428
(+1 from 1963)
526
(+14 from 1963)
0.02687
1963429
(-32 from 1962)
512
(-69 from 1962)
0.02575
1962397
(+11 from 1961)
581
(+11 from 1961)
0.02866
1961408
(-9 from 1960)
570
(-3 from 1960)
0.02744
1960399
(-14 from 1959)
573
(-35 from 1959)
0.02755
1959385
(-8 from 1958)
608
(+21 from 1958)
0.02925
1958377
(+31 from 1957)
587
(+73 from 1957)
0.02842
1957408
(-38 from 1956)
514
(-52 from 1956)
0.02450
1956370
(-17 from 1955)
566
(-36 from 1955)
0.02748
1955353
(+3 from 1954)
602
(+14 from 1954)
0.03003
1954356
(-27 from 1953)
588
(-48 from 1953)
0.02954
1953329
(-15 from 1952)
636
(-25 from 1952)
0.03296
1952314
(-26 from 1951)
661
(-86 from 1951)
0.03475
1951288
(-8 from 1950)
747
(-12 from 1950)
0.04044
1950280
(-27 from 1949)
759
(-142 from 1949)
0.04316
1949253
(-9 from 1948)
901
(-38 from 1948)
0.05132
1948244
(-1 from 1947)
939
(-33 from 1947)
0.05388
1947243
(-8 from 1946)
972
(+46 from 1946)
0.05347
1946235
(+2 from 1945)
926
(+144 from 1945)
0.05741
1945237
(-19 from 1944)
782
(-125 from 1944)
0.05809
1944218
(-24 from 1943)
907
(-200 from 1943)
0.06637
1943194
(-17 from 1942)
1107
(-147 from 1942)
0.07712
1942177
(+24 from 1941)
1254
(+314 from 1941)
0.09019
1941201
(-1 from 1940)
940
(+66 from 1940)
0.07544
1940200
(-1 from 1939)
874
(-14 from 1939)
0.07398
1939199
(+8 from 1938)
888
(+41 from 1938)
0.07830
1938207
(+13 from 1937)
847
(+93 from 1937)
0.07420
1937220
(+4 from 1936)
754
(+27 from 1936)
0.06843
1936224
(+11 from 1935)
727
(+13 from 1935)
0.06747
1935235
(-14 from 1934)
714
(-81 from 1934)
0.06570
1934221
(-12 from 1933)
795
(-27 from 1933)
0.07345
1933209
(-7 from 1932)
822
(-78 from 1932)
0.07858
1932202
(-3 from 1931)
900
(-25 from 1931)
0.08135
1931199
(-26 from 1930)
925
(-219 from 1930)
0.08381
1930173
No change from 1929
1144
(-37 from 1929)
0.09807
1929173
(-6 from 1928)
1181
(-72 from 1928)
0.10203
1928167
(-4 from 1927)
1253
(-120 from 1927)
0.10481
1927163
No change from 1926
1373
(-24 from 1926)
0.11104
1926163
(-5 from 1925)
1397
(-109 from 1925)
0.11356
1925158
(-8 from 1924)
1506
(-240 from 1924)
0.11923
1924150
(-7 from 1923)
1746
(-10 from 1923)
0.13476
1923143
No change from 1922
1756
(+24 from 1922)
0.14020
1922143
(-4 from 1921)
1732
(-103 from 1921)
0.13883
1921139
(-1 from 1920)
1835
(+56 from 1920)
0.14339
1920138
(+1 from 1919)
1779
(+120 from 1919)
0.14300
1919139
(-4 from 1918)
1659
(-87 from 1918)
0.14124
1918135
(-8 from 1917)
1746
(+18 from 1917)
0.14521
1917127
(+4 from 1916)
1728
(+84 from 1916)
0.15378
1916131
(-10 from 1915)
1644
(-26 from 1915)
0.15142
1915121
(-5 from 1914)
1670
(+289 from 1914)
0.16311
1914116
(+1 from 1913)
1381
(+297 from 1913)
0.17336
1913117
(+7 from 1912)
1084
(+142 from 1912)
0.16552
1912124
(+9 from 1911)
942
(+314 from 1911)
0.16055
1911133
(+12 from 1910)
628
(+68 from 1910)
0.14214
1910145
(+8 from 1909)
560
(+94 from 1909)
0.13348
1909153
(-6 from 1908)
466
(+9 from 1908)
0.12660
1908147
No change from 1907
457
(+8 from 1907)
0.12890
1907147
(-6 from 1906)
449
(+31 from 1906)
0.13306
1906141
(+4 from 1905)
418
(+6 from 1905)
0.13336
1905145
(-2 from 1904)
412
(+19 from 1904)
0.13296
1904143
(-6 from 1903)
393
(-7 from 1903)
0.13439
1903137
(+12 from 1902)
400
(+45 from 1902)
0.14378
1902149
(-2 from 1901)
355
(+14 from 1901)
0.12664
1901147
(+2 from 1900)
341
(-48 from 1900)
0.13413
1900149
(-1 from 1899)
389
(+73 from 1899)
0.12243
1899148
(+1 from 1898)
316
(-21 from 1898)
0.12768
1898149
(+8 from 1897)
337
(+47 from 1897)
0.12293
1897157
(+2 from 1896)
290
(+11 from 1896)
0.11681
1896159
(+15 from 1895)
279
(+42 from 1895)
0.11072
1895174
(+8 from 1894)
237
(+23 from 1894)
0.09591
1894182
(+2 from 1893)
214
(+24 from 1893)
0.09069
1893184
(+16 from 1892)
190
(+32 from 1892)
0.08436
1892200
(+11 from 1891)
158
(+33 from 1891)
0.07025
1891211
(+43 from 1890)
125
(+29 from 1890)
0.06359
1890254
(-6 from 1889)
96
(+8 from 1889)
0.04760
1889248
(+11 from 1888)
88
(+8 from 1888)
0.04651
1888259
(+33 from 1887)
80
(+27 from 1887)
0.04223
1887292
(+19 from 1886)
53
(+8 from 1886)
0.03410
1886311
(+6 from 1885)
45
(+4 from 1885)
0.02927
1885317
(-44 from 1884)
41
(-10 from 1884)
0.02888
1884273
(+47 from 1883)
51
(+20 from 1883)
0.03707
1883320
(+6 from 1882)
31
(+2 from 1882)
0.02582
1882326
(+121 from 1881)
29
(+15 from 1881)
0.02507
1881447
(-105 from 1880)
14
(-8 from 1880)
0.01416
1880342
First SSA data recorded
22
First SSA data recorded
0.02254

American States Popularity Rankings for Madeline

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

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#772021#1012022#872023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1022021#922022#872023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1012021#1072022#872023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#1002021#1002022#912023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#782021#682022#642023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1302021#1052022#1152023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1012021#1182022#892023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#672021#512022#432023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#992021#1232022#892023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#802021#622022#762023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1192021#1182022#1422023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#712021#672022#1182023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#872021#1242022#1162023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#912021#922022#742023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1182021#1362022#872023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#902021#912022#842023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#2332021#1672022#1322023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#862021#1062022#782023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1312021#1392022#1332023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#1232021#1462022#1142023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#562021#482022#722023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1002021#1012022#1072023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#772021#902022#1292023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1032021#1492022#1452023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#922021#1182022#752023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1002021#1012022#1182023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#1532021#1622022#2202023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#992021#1262022#1072023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#1632021#1152022#622023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1222021#1462022#1122023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#1112021#1402022#1122023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#2072021#1572022#1452023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#762021#662022#1012023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1492021#1642022#1352023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#1162021#1182022#1012023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#862021#722022#652023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#1872021#1462022#2292023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#332021#862022#622023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#3992021#2342022#1652023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#732021#262022#402023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#492020#662021#1042022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1092021#1282022#1072023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1842021#1272022#2122023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#1402021#1482022#1672023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#852020#852021#1192023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1212020#1122021#1892022

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#1952019#1602021#2042023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1462020#862022#2222023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1002020#1792022#822023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#442021#1662022#1562023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#882017#972018#992021

Popularity Rankings for Madeline in other Countries and American Territories

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

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#852014#862016#982019

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#872021#1032022#1382023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1272021#1102022#1082023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#2572020#1892021#1622022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4342018#4182022#3022023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#4642021#3172022#5552023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#4772014#3632021#3242022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4432019#3432020#3982021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#4862002#5722004#5522005

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7112016

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

Is Madeline a Name for Boys or Girls?

Madeline is generally used for girls, deriving its gentle and refined appeal from its biblical and historical roots. The name’s elegance and femininity make it a favorite among parents.

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

Madeline in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Madeline Kahn (Actress, 1942–1999): A comedic actress known for her roles in "Young Frankenstein" and "Blazing Saddles."
  • Madeline Smith (Actress, born 1949): An English actress famous for her roles in Hammer horror films and James Bond's "Live and Let Die."
  • Madeline Miller (Author, born 1978): An American author celebrated for her modern retellings of classical myths like "Circe" and "The Song of Achilles."
  • Madeline Zima (Actress, born 1985): An American actress recognized for her roles in "The Nanny" and "Californication."
  • Madeline Carroll (Actress, born 1996): An American actress known for her role in "Swing Vote."
  • Madeline Duggan (Actress, born 1994): An English actress famous for her role as Lauren Branning in the TV series "EastEnders."
  • Madeline Brewer (Actress, born 1992): An American actress best known for her roles in "Orange Is the New Black" and "The Handmaid's Tale."
  • Madeline Bell (Singer, born 1942): An American soul singer who gained popularity in the UK with hits like "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me."
  • Madeline Montalban (Occultist, 1910–1982): An English astrologer and occultist who founded the School of the Inner Light.
  • Madeline ("Madeline," 1988 TV Series): Follows the adventures of a spirited young girl named Madeline attending a boarding school in Paris.
  • Madeline Ashton ("Death Becomes Her," 1992 Film): A vain and aging actress who discovers a magical potion that grants eternal youth.
  • Madeline Martha Mackenzie ("Big Little Lies," 2017 TV Series): A dynamic and outspoken mother who navigates the complexities of her personal and social life.
  • "Madeline" (1939 Book by Ludwig Bemelmans): A classic children's book series about a brave little girl living in a French boarding school.
  • Madeline Bray ("Nicholas Nickleby," 2002 Film): A kind-hearted and beautiful young woman who becomes the love interest of the protagonist, Nicholas Nickleby.
  • Madeline Westen ("Burn Notice," 2007 TV Series): The resourceful and supportive mother of Michael Westen, a former spy.
  • "Madeline's Christmas" (1983 TV Special): A heartwarming Christmas special where Madeline helps her friends have a wonderful holiday.
  • Madeline Bassett ("Jeeves and Wooster," 1990 TV Series): A whimsical and romantic character in the comedic series based on P.G. Wodehouse's stories.
  • Madeline Hatter ("Ever After High," 2013 TV Series): The daughter of the Mad Hatter, known for her quirky and imaginative personality.
  • Madeline Franklin ("The Haunting of Madeline," 2015 Novel): A thrilling story about Madeline Franklin, who unravels the mysteries of a haunted mansion.
  • Madeline Island (Wisconsin, USA): A popular tourist destination in Lake Superior, known for its beautiful beaches and outdoor activities.
  • Madeline Street (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA): A residential street in New Orleans, featuring charming historic homes.
  • Madeline Park (El Paso, Texas, USA): A community park in El Paso offering playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports facilities.
  • Madeline River (British Columbia, Canada): A picturesque river in British Columbia, ideal for fishing and canoeing.
  • Madeline Lake (Ontario, Canada): A serene lake in Ontario, perfect for boating and nature observation.
  • Madeline Plaza (Madrid, Spain): A bustling plaza in Madrid, surrounded by shops, cafes, and cultural attractions.
  • Madeline Beach (Queensland, Australia): A beautiful beach in Queensland, popular for swimming and sunbathing.
  • Madeline Hill (Texas, USA): A scenic hill in Texas, offering hiking trails and panoramic views.

Similar Names to Madeline

Sibling Names for Madeline