Madden
MA-duhn
Madden is an anglicised form of the Irish surname Madaidhín, a diminutive of madaidh meaning “dog,” ultimately from Old Irish mat (“good”)—the compound giving something close to “little good dog” or simply “little dog.”
As a given name, Madden rose primarily through the popularity of the EA Sports video game franchise Madden NFL, named after legendary football coach and broadcaster John Madden (1936-2021).
Madden peaked at No. 544 in 2011 with 470 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 688 with 392 births, below its early-decade high.
What the name Madden means
John Madden’s death in December 2021 prompted a renewed wave of tributes and may have influenced subsequent naming decisions. The Madden NFL game remains the best-selling sports video game franchise in history.
Two syllables—MAD-en—sound crisp and energetic. The sharp opening and the clean close give it a punchy quality that fits the sports-inspired naming category.
Parents choosing Madden are often football fans or Madden game enthusiasts paying tribute to the man whose name is synonymous with American football simulation.
The name also shares phonetic DNA with the popular Madison and Madeline, giving it crossover appeal to parents drawn to the Mad- sound cluster.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Madden
Madden - similar names
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