Girl name · Aramaic
Magdalena
“of Magdala, the tower”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Magdalena.
Explore Magdalena further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Magdalena — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Magdalena means from Magdala, a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee whose name is the Aramaic migdal, tower. Mary Magdalene is identified by where she is from, not by a husband or father, which is unusual enough in the gospels to be worth noticing.
The long association with penitence rests on a sixth-century conflation of three different women and has no basis in the text — the Catholic Church formally separated them again in 1969.
Four syllables, said mag-da-LEH-na. Lena and Magda are both full names elsewhere. On our vibe map it is Vintage Elegant.
More Aramaic names
Magdalena sits in our Aramaic set — these share its roots.
All Aramaic names →Magdalena — common questions
Is Magdalena a boy or girl name?
Magdalena is traditionally a girl name of Aramaic origin.
What does the name Magdalena mean?
Magdalena means “of Magdala, the tower” of Aramaic origin. Magdalena means from Magdala, a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee whose name is the Aramaic migdal, tower. Mary Magdalene is identified by where she is from, not by a husband or father, which is unusual enough in the gospels to be worth noticing.
Where does the name Magdalena come from?
Magdalena is Aramaic in origin. The long association with penitence rests on a sixth-century conflation of three different women and has no basis in the text — the Catholic Church formally separated them again in 1969.
What are common nicknames for Magdalena?
Magda, Lena, and Maggie — the short-forms parents most often use for Magdalena.
How popular is Magdalena?
Magdalena 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 Magdalena you might want for the nursery.