Madeline is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French name Madeleine, which itself comes from the Occitan name Mahault or Mahaut, meaning "from Magdala." This name has been used in France since the Middle Ages and was popularized by several saints named Madeleine.
The most famous saint associated with this name is Mary Magdalene, who was a disciple of Jesus Christ. She is believed to have been present at his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. In some traditions, she is considered the first person to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection. The name Madeline became particularly popular in France during the 19th century, when many literary works featured characters named Madeleine or Madeline.
Over time, variations of the name have emerged, such as Madeleine, Maddie, and even Madge in English-speaking countries. Despite these variations, the core meaning of the name remains consistent: "from Magdala." Whether it's spelled Madeline or Madeleine, this charming French name continues to captivate parents seeking unique and meaningful names for their daughters.
The name Madelline has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States. The first notable surge in its usage was between 1992 and 1998, with the highest number of births occurring in 1997, totaling to 15 births that year. This indicates that during this period, Madelline was gaining traction as a preferred name for newborn girls.
However, after 1998, the popularity of the name began to decline. There were only 5 births each in the years 2000 and 2017, and again in 2019 and 2020. This shows that the name Madelline has largely fallen out of favor in recent times.
It's interesting to note that there was a slight resurgence in the early 2000s, with births ranging from 8 to 11 between 2006 and 2008. This suggests that while the name may not have maintained its initial popularity, it did experience periods of renewed interest.
In total, based on the statistics provided, there have been 154 births of girls named Madelline in the United States since 1989. This figure can give us a general idea of how often this name has been used over time, but it's important to remember that these numbers represent only a small fraction of the total number of births occurring each year.
Despite fluctuations in its popularity, Madelline remains a unique and distinct name that some parents continue to choose for their daughters. Each name carries its own story and significance, regardless of how common or uncommon it may be.