Girls · #40 in 2025
Madison: Meaning, Origin & Popularity
- Origin
- English surname
- Meaning
- Son of Matthew or son of Maud, depending on origin
- Pronunciation
- MAD-ih-sun
- Nickname options
- Maddie, Mads, Sonny
Origin and meaning
Madison began as an English surname that can derive from Matthew or Maud. The ending is patronymic, indicating descent. Its modern use as a girl's first name is separate from that older surname formation.
U.S. popularity
Madison ranked #40 for girls in the United States in 2025, with 4,945 girls given this spelling. Its highest recorded U.S. rank was #2, reached in 2001–2002. 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
Madison feels familiar and capable, with an easy route to the friendly Maddie. The full name has a sturdy surname shape, while the nickname softens it considerably. It suits parents who want a longer everyday name that does not feel especially formal.
Things to consider
Maddie is shared with several other names, if you plan on using the Maddie / Maddy nickname, it might feel more popular than Madison's rank would lead you to believe.
If you love Madison, consider…
- Addison: Keeps the surname ending with a lighter opening.
- Madelyn: Offers Maddie with a softer full-name shape.
- Avery: Makes the surname style more fluid.
- Kennedy: Shares the three-syllable, tailored feeling.
- Riley: Offers a shorter casual alternative.
- Emery: Softens the consonants.
- Abigail: Keeps the full-name and nickname flexibility.
- Mackenzie: Adds a more energetic surname-style rhythm.