Girl name · Hebrew
Madelyn
“of Magdala, woman of the tower”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Madelyn.
Explore Madelyn further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Madelyn — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Madelyn is a respelling of Madeline, and behind both is Magdalene — of Magdala, a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee whose name means tower. Mary Magdalene carried it into every European language.
The route through French produced maudlin, from the tearful way she was painted for centuries, which is a rare case of a name becoming an adjective for an emotion. Madelyn sits at number 71 in the US, ranking separately from Madeline and Madeleine.
Maddie is universal across all three spellings. Three syllables want one (Madelyn Rose, Madelyn Wren). On our vibe map it is Modern Minimalist with a Y2K Nostalgic spelling.
More Hebrew names
Madelyn sits in our Hebrew set — these share its roots.
All Hebrew names →Madelyn — common questions
Is Madelyn a boy or girl name?
Madelyn is traditionally a girl name of Hebrew origin.
What does the name Madelyn mean?
Madelyn means “of Magdala, woman of the tower” of Hebrew origin. Madelyn is a respelling of Madeline, and behind both is Magdalene — of Magdala, a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee whose name means tower. Mary Magdalene carried it into every European language.
Where does the name Madelyn come from?
Madelyn is Hebrew in origin. The route through French produced maudlin, from the tearful way she was painted for centuries, which is a rare case of a name becoming an adjective for an emotion. Madelyn sits at number 71 in the US, ranking separately from Madeline and Madeleine.
What are common nicknames for Madelyn?
Maddie and Lyn — the short-forms parents most often use for Madelyn.
How popular is Madelyn?
Madelyn 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 Madelyn you might want for the nursery.