What Does the Name Madeline Mean?
Madeline is a girl's name of English (from Greek/Hebrew) origin meaning “of Magdala.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Madeline |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | English (from Greek/Hebrew) |
| Meaning | of Magdala |
| Variants | Madeleine, Madelyn, Magdalene, Madalyn |
| Popularity | A consistent U.S. top 100 name for much of the 1990s-2010s. |
The meaning and origin of Madeline
The name Madeline means “of Magdala” and has English (from Greek/Hebrew) origins. An English form of Magdalene, referring to Mary Magdalene, with the byname meaning 'of Magdala,' a town on the Sea of Galilee. It has been popular since the Middle Ages and was boosted by the Madeline children's books.
Variants and related names
Madeline is related to several other names you may recognize: Madeleine, Madelyn, Magdalene, Madalyn. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Madeline?
A consistent U.S. top 100 name for much of the 1990s-2010s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madeline mean?+
The name Madeline means “of Magdala” and is of English (from Greek/Hebrew) origin.
What is the origin of the name Madeline?+
Madeline originates from English (from Greek/Hebrew).
Is Madeline a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Madeline has trended in the US over time.
Madeline by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press