Madeline
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Woman of Magdala, tower
Origin: French/English
Popularity: Ranked #81 in 2025 with 3,086 babies born.
History: Madeline has been beloved in America for over a century. Ludwig Bemelmans' 'In an Old House in Paris' begins one of the most memorized passages in American children's literature — every American child knows Madeline and her twelve little girls in two straight lines. The brave little French girl who had her appendix out represents courage, independence, and the power of children's books to shape naming.
Name length: 8 letters
How common is Madeline? About 1 in 1,079 babies born in 2025 were named Madeline, or roughly 8.5 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Madeline
What does the name Madeline mean?
Madeline means “Woman of Magdala, tower” from French/English roots.
What is the origin of the name Madeline?
Madeline has French/English origin. The traditional meaning is “Woman of Magdala, tower”.
How popular is Madeline?
Madeline ranked #81 in 2025 — given to 3,086 babies that year.
When was Madeline most popular?
Madeline peaked in 1998 with 5,869 babies registered that year.
Is Madeline a boy or girl name?
Madeline is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Madelines in registered births are female.
Is the name Madeline rising or falling in popularity?
Madeline has risen 15 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #96 in 2020 to #81 in 2025.
How long has Madeline been recorded?
Madeline appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.