Madeline is a name of French origin, derived from the French name Madeleine, which in turn comes from the Hebrew name Magdalen. The Hebrew name Magdalen means "from Magdala," a town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus Christ's followers, was believed to have lived.
The name Madeline has been used for centuries and has been popular among families of French descent. It gained significant popularity in English-speaking countries during the 19th century, particularly after the publication of "Madeline," a classic children's book by Ludwig Bemelmans in 1939. The book features a mischievous yet charming little girl named Madeline who attends a boarding school run by an elderly and strict nun.
Despite its French origins, Madeline has become a popular name across many cultures. It is often associated with elegance, intelligence, and creativity, reflecting the characteristics of the famous literary figure it inspired. Today, Madeline remains a beloved name for girls, celebrated for its unique sound, rich history, and timeless charm.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Madeline has seen a varying number of births in the United States over the years. The earliest recorded birth was in 1901 with 5 occurrences, followed by another 5 births in 1910.
The number of births peaked between 1917 and 1923, with a high of 22 births in 1921. This period saw a consistent increase in the popularity of the name Madeline, with double-digit numbers of births each year.
However, after 1924, the number of births steadily decreased until it reached single digits again in 1936 and continued to fluctuate between 5 to 7 births per year up until 1957. There was a gap in recordings from 1958 to 1997.
The name Madeline resurfaced in the late 20th century with 6 births recorded in 1998, indicating that it may have regained some popularity among parents choosing names for their daughters.
Overall, while Madeline was a popular choice for parents in certain periods, particularly between 1917 and 1923, its popularity has varied significantly over time.