Madelene
Madelene was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1914, when it ranked 913th; the most babies were born in 1921 (57). More babies were named Madelene in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Madelyn) woman of Magdala (via Madeline) · French, Greek, Hebrew
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedgirls
- Babies in 2025
- 0girls
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a girl’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 192157 babies
- Total since 1880
- 2,704babies recorded
What does the name Madelene mean?
Madelene is a spelling of Madelyn, pronounced the same way, so it shares Madelyn's meaning and origin.
Madelyn is a modern spelling of Madeline, the English form of French Madeleine. All of these go back to Magdalene, the byname of Mary Magdalene in the Gospels, which means 'woman from Magdala', a village on the Sea of Galilee. Wiktionary derives the village name from Hebrew migdal, 'tower'. DMNES finds Latin Magdalena in English records from 1551. The -lyn ending, as in Brooklyn and Evelyn, is an American respelling of the 20th century.
Μαγδαληνή (Koine Greek, “woman of Magdala”)מגדל (Hebrew, “migdal, tower”)
How sure is this? Well established.
Related names: Madeline, Madeleine, Madilyn, Madalyn, Magdalene, Maddie.
See also: Hebrew names, names from places.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Madelyn', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
- Wiktionary, entry 'Magdalene', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation); facts restated, no text reused
- Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources, ed. S. L. Uckelman, Edition 2023 no. 1, s.v. 'Magdalene', Durham University / The DMNES Editors
Madelene popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (girls) | Babies (girls) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #12,963 | 7 |
| 2010 | #7,098 | 18 |
| 2000 | #4,612 | 26 |
| 1990 | #4,615 | 21 |
| 1980 | #6,156 | 11 |
| 1970 | #3,167 | 21 |
| 1960 | #2,950 | 18 |
| 1950 | #2,032 | 23 |
| 1940 | #1,720 | 22 |
| 1930 | #1,590 | 25 |
| 1920 | #1,036 | 52 |
| 1910 | #1,019 | 19 |
| 1900 | #1,145 | 12 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Madelene, counting every spelling?
Madelene is a spelling of Madelyn, a name family that ranked #15 for girls in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 7,940 girls in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madelyn | 3,362 | #71 | 17,533 |
| Madeline | 3,086 | #81 | 14,188 |
| Madeleine | 679 | #455 | 3,714 |
| Madelynn | 573 | #524 | 3,108 |
| Madelin | 74 | #2,426 | 320 |
| Madelyne | 81 | #2,270 | 319 |
| Madelaine | 24 | #5,337 | 141 |
| Madelynne | 23 | #5,496 | 123 |
| Maddelyn | 18 | #6,463 | 91 |
| Madelene | — | — | 33 |
| Maddeline | 10 | #9,849 | 30 |
| Maddelynn | — | — | 26 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Madelene?
About 1,400 people born in the US named Madelene are alive today, with a median age of 50; half are between 26 and 68. That makes Madelene mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties. The wide spread shows a name popular in two different eras.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Madelene: their share of US girls followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Madelene, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Madelene
What does Madelene mean?
Madelene is a spelling of Madelyn, which means “woman of Magdala (via Madeline)” (French, Greek, Hebrew origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Madelene?
Madelene was not among the names given to 5 or more girls in 2025. Its best year was 1914, when it ranked 913th; the most babies were born in 1921 (57). More babies were named Madelene in the 1920s than in any other decade.
Is Madelene a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a girl’s name given the name Madelene in the US.