Madeline is a feminine given name of French origin and meaning. It is derived from the French name Madeleine, which itself comes from the Occitan name Magdaleina. This name has its roots in the Hebrew name Magdalene, which means "from Magdala" or "tower." The name Maddeline, therefore, carries a rich history dating back to biblical times.
Magdala was a small fishing village on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, near Tiberias, in ancient Palestine. According to Christian tradition, Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' most prominent followers and witnesses to his resurrection, came from this town. Thus, the name Maddeline is often associated with Mary Magdalene.
Over time, the name Madeleine has evolved in various forms across different cultures and languages. In French, it is spelled Madeleine, while in English, it may appear as Madeline or Maddeline. Despite these variations, the core meaning and origin of the name remain consistent.
In literature, one of the most notable appearances of the name Maddeline is in the classic children's novel "Madeline" by Ludwig Bemelmans. Published in 1939, this story follows the adventures of a young girl named Madeline at a boarding school in Paris, further popularizing the name among English speakers.
Today, Maddeline continues to be a popular choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet classic name for their daughters. Its French origins and biblical associations give it an air of elegance and historical significance, while its unique spelling sets it apart from more common forms like Madeleine or Madeline.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe a trend in the popularity of the name Maddeline in the United States over the past two decades.
From 1997 to 2022, there were a total of 164 births with the name Maddeline. The number of births varied each year, ranging from as few as five to as many as ten. Interestingly, there is no clear upward or downward trend in popularity over time. Instead, the popularity seems to fluctuate randomly.
The years with the highest number of Maddeline births were 2008 and 2009, with ten births each year. This suggests that during these two years, the name Maddeline was particularly popular among parents in the United States.
However, it's important to note that even at its peak popularity, Maddeline remained a relatively uncommon name compared to more popular choices. For instance, in 2018, there were over 5,700 births with the name Emma, making it the most popular girls' name that year.
Overall, while Maddeline has had some years of higher popularity, it remains a less common choice for parents naming their daughters in the United States. However, each unique name carries its own charm and significance, regardless of its overall popularity.