What Does the Name Madison Mean?
Madison is a girl's name of Old English (surname) origin meaning “son of Maud (or Matthew).”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Madison |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Old English (surname) |
| Meaning | son of Maud (or Matthew) |
| Variants | Maddison, Madisyn, Madyson, Maddie, Maddy |
| Popularity | Top 10 US girls' name throughout the 2000s, peaking at #2 in 2001-2002. |
The meaning and origin of Madison
The name Madison means “son of Maud (or Matthew)” and has Old English (surname) origins. Originally an English surname meaning 'son of Maud' (Maud being a medieval form of Matilda) or, in some interpretations, 'son of Matthew.' It surged as a girls' first name after the 1984 film Splash, which used it as a joke name for a mermaid.
Variants and related names
Madison is related to several other names you may recognize: Maddison, Madisyn, Madyson, Maddie, Maddy. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Madison?
Top 10 US girls' name throughout the 2000s, peaking at #2 in 2001-2002.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Madison mean?+
The name Madison means “son of Maud (or Matthew)” and is of Old English (surname) origin.
What is the origin of the name Madison?+
Madison originates from Old English (surname).
Is Madison a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Madison has trended in the US over time.
Madison 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