Girl name · Hebrew
Madeline
“of Magdala, woman of the tower”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Madeline.
Explore Madeline further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Madeline — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Madeline is the older English spelling, taken from French Madeleine, and it is the one that carries the literary weight: Ludwig Bemelmans's 1939 books about the smallest of twelve little girls in two straight lines have never been out of print.
Proust's madeleine is the same word — the cake is named for a cook called Madeleine — which is why involuntary memory is called a madeleine moment. It sits at number 81 in the US, just below the Madelyn respelling.
Maddie is shared; Lena is the escape from it. Three syllables want one (Madeline Wren, Madeline Jo). On our vibe map it is Vintage Elegant with Heirloom depth.
More Hebrew names
Madeline sits in our Hebrew set — these share its roots.
All Hebrew names →Madeline — common questions
Is Madeline a boy or girl name?
Madeline is traditionally a girl name of Hebrew origin.
What does the name Madeline mean?
Madeline means “of Magdala, woman of the tower” of Hebrew origin. Madeline is the older English spelling, taken from French Madeleine, and it is the one that carries the literary weight: Ludwig Bemelmans's 1939 books about the smallest of twelve little girls in two straight lines have never been out of print.
Where does the name Madeline come from?
Madeline is Hebrew in origin. Proust's madeleine is the same word — the cake is named for a cook called Madeleine — which is why involuntary memory is called a madeleine moment. It sits at number 81 in the US, just below the Madelyn respelling.
What are common nicknames for Madeline?
Maddie and Lena — the short-forms parents most often use for Madeline.
How popular is Madeline?
Madeline did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Madeline you might want for the nursery.