What Does the Name Madelyn Mean?
Madelyn is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning “"From Magdala" (high tower / woman of Magdala).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Madelyn |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | "From Magdala" (high tower / woman of Magdala) |
| Variants | Madeline, Madeleine, Madelynn, Magdalena |
| Popularity | A US top-100 girls' name throughout the 2010s, one of several Madeline variants. |
The meaning and origin of Madelyn
The name Madelyn means “"From Magdala" (high tower / woman of Magdala)” and has Greek origins. A modern spelling of Madeline, from Magdalene, referring to Mary Magdalene of the Gospels, from the town Magdala ('tower') on the Sea of Galilee. The '-lyn' spelling rose in the 2000s.
Variants and related names
Madelyn is related to several other names you may recognize: Madeline, Madeleine, Madelynn, Magdalena. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Madelyn?
A US top-100 girls' name throughout the 2010s, one of several Madeline variants.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madelyn mean?+
The name Madelyn means “"From Magdala" (high tower / woman of Magdala)” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Madelyn?+
Madelyn originates from Greek.
Is Madelyn a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Madelyn has trended in the US over time.
Madelyn by gender
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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