Entry № 0254 · Hebrew, Greek origin

Madeline Madeline — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ MAD-uh-line /

Gender

Girl

Origin

Hebrew, Greek

Meaning

"From Magdala"

Syllables

Rank · US 2025

№ 82

First recorded

Medieval

The meaning

A name that means "from magdala".

Madeline comes from Magdalene — referring to Mary Magdalene, the New Testament figure from the town of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee. The Hebrew root migdal means "tower" or "high place."

Madeline is the French form (Madeleine) Anglicised. Ludwig Bemelmans' 1939 children's book Madeline about the Parisian schoolgirl with red hair has kept the name visible for generations.

From a tower above the Sea of Galilee. A schoolgirl in Paris.

Popularity

Where Madeline stands.

Current rank · 2025

№ 82 in the U.S.

All-time peak

№ 47 in 2007

Babies named Madeline · last year

3,312 in the U.S.

First entered SSA top-1000

1880

Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular

Namesakes

Madelines before her.

Real people

Madeleine Albright

First female U.S. Secretary of State.

1937 – 2022

Madeline Kahn

American actress, star of Mel Brooks comedies.

1942 – 1999

In fiction

Madeline

Heroine of Ludwig Bemelmans' children's books.

1939–1961

Names connected to Madeline.

Numerology

The number behind Madeline.

The Free Spirit

Madeline reduces to five — the number of curiosity and quiet bravery.

Parents on Madeline

Why families chose this name.

"The book was our daughter's favorite before she could read. The name became inevitable."

Claire · Mother of one · Paris