What Does the Name Magdalena Mean?
Magdalena is a girl's name of Polish and Spanish origin meaning “"of Magdala".”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Magdalena |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Polish and Spanish |
| Meaning | "of Magdala" |
| Variants | Magda, Magdaléna, Madalena, Lena |
| Popularity | A common and enduring name throughout Poland, Spain, Latin America, and Central Europe, frequently shortened to Magda. |
The meaning and origin of Magdalena
The name Magdalena means “"of Magdala"” and has Polish and Spanish origins. A Latinate form of Magdalene, from the biblical epithet of Mary Magdalene, meaning "of Magdala," a village on the Sea of Galilee whose name derives from Hebrew migdal "tower." It is widely used across Polish, Spanish, German, and Scandinavian cultures.
Variants and related names
Magdalena is related to several other names you may recognize: Magda, Magdaléna, Madalena, Lena. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Magdalena?
A common and enduring name throughout Poland, Spain, Latin America, and Central Europe, frequently shortened to Magda.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Magdalena mean?+
The name Magdalena means “"of Magdala"” and is of Polish and Spanish origin.
What is the origin of the name Magdalena?+
Magdalena originates from Polish and Spanish.
Is Magdalena a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Magdalena has trended in the US over time.
Magdalena 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