Madeleine
ma-duh-LEN
Madeleine is the French form of Magdalene, from the Greek Magdalene meaning “woman from Magdala.” Magdala was a fishing village on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee.
The name honours Mary Magdalene, a central figure in the New Testament. The French spelling became standard through centuries of devotion to Sainte Madeleine.
Madeleine ranked No. 437 in 2024 with 707 births. It peaked at No. 217 in 1998 with 1,424 births, during the broader Madeline wave.
What the name Madeleine means
Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (1937 - 2022) is the name’s most prominent American bearer. Ludwig Bemelmans’s Madeline picture books also keep the name in the cultural conversation.
Three syllables - MAD-uh-lin - sound identical to other spellings. The French “eine” ending adds visual sophistication that parents prize.
Parents choosing Madeleine prefer the French spelling for its elegance. It signals cultural awareness and a love of tradition.
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 Madeleine
Madeleine - similar names
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