Girls · #81 in 2025
Madeline: Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Origin
- English form of Madeleine
- Meaning
- From Magdala
- Pronunciation
- MAD-uh-line or MAD-uh-lin
- Nickname options
- Maddie, Mads
Origin and meaning
Madeline is an English form of Madeleine, ultimately related to Magdalene, meaning from Magdala. The place name is linked with the Aramaic word for tower. The personal name is a place-based designation rather than simply the word tower.
U.S. popularity
Madeline ranked #81 for girls in the United States in 2025, with 3,086 girls given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #50, reached in 1998. Historical coverage: 1880–2025. Peak refers to rank, not the largest number of births.
Source: Social Security Administration; historical peaks calculated from its national name files. Rankings count each spelling separately within the listed sex.
The Hello Baby Names take
Madeline feels familiar, graceful, and a little storybook-like. It gives Maddie a more formal home without sounding stiff. Parents who enjoy vintage names with friendly short forms may appreciate its balance of polish and approachability.
Things to consider
The final syllable varies between line and lin in English. Decide which pronunciation you want and expect occasional clarification.
If you love Madeline, consider…
- Madelyn: Makes the lin ending more explicit in spelling.
- Adeline: Keeps the flowing shape with a lighter opening.
- Eleanor: Offers a more composed classic with nicknames.
- Abigail: Brings warmth and a familiar short form.
- Caroline: Shares the tailored, three-syllable style.
- Josephine: Adds a more pronounced vintage mood.
- Emilia: Softens the consonants into a flowing alternative.
- Charlotte: Offers a shorter formal classic.