Madelin is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the Old German name Mahildis, which is composed of the elements "mag" meaning "battle" and "hild" meaning "battle". Therefore, Madelin can be translated to mean "noble strength".
The name Madelin has been used in France for centuries, with its earliest recorded instances dating back to the Middle Ages. It was particularly popular during the 19th century but has seen a resurgence in recent years.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Madelin. One such figure is French poet and writer Marie-Madeleine Pidou de Saint-Maurice, better known by her pen name Madeleine de Scudéry. Born in the late 17th century, she was renowned for her works that often explored themes of love, honor, and virtue.
Today, Madelin continues to be a distinctive and elegant choice for parents seeking a unique yet meaningful name for their daughters. Its origins and history lend it an air of sophistication, while its meaning imbues it with strength and nobility. Despite its French roots, Madelin has gained popularity around the world, appearing on popular baby naming lists in countries such as Canada, Australia, and even some English-speaking regions in Africa.
The name Madelin has seen a significant rise in popularity over the past century in the United States, with its usage trends reflecting various patterns and peaks throughout different decades.
In the early 1900s, the number of births with the name Madelin hovered around single digits, ranging from 5 to 14 births per year between 1899 and 1929. However, starting from the 1930s, there was a noticeable increase in its usage, with 7 births recorded in 1938.
The 1960s marked a turning point for the name Madelin, as it began to gain traction among parents. The decade opened with 10 births in 1960 and peaked at 28 births in 1968, demonstrating a growing interest in the name during this period.
The 1970s saw continued popularity for Madelin, with the number of births ranging from 19 to 37 per year. The decade closed with two consecutive years (1978 and 1979) where more than 25 babies were named Madelin each year.
However, the late 1980s and early 1990s showed a decline in popularity for the name, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded between 1982 and 1993. This trend reversed mid-decade, and by 1996, there were nearly 70 babies named Madelin.
The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a significant increase in the usage of the name Madelin, with over 100 births recorded annually between 2000 and 2003. This popularity continued throughout the decade, with more than 80 babies named Madelin each year from 2004 to 2010.
Despite a slight decline in its usage since then, Madelin remains a popular choice for parents, with over 75 births recorded in both 2022 and 2023. Overall, since 1899, there have been a total of 3,089 babies named Madelin born in the United States.
This data demonstrates that while Madelin's popularity has ebbed and flowed over time, it has consistently remained a popular choice among parents seeking a unique and distinctive name for their daughters.