Madison is a popular given name of English origin. It is derived from the surname Madison, which has its roots in Old English and means "son of Maud" or "son of Matthew." The name Maud is believed to have been a pet form of the Germanic name Mahthildis, which was composed of the elements mahat, meaning "might," and hild, meaning "battle."
The use of Madison as a given name for girls began in the United States during the early 20th century. It gained popularity in the 1980s after it was used by several celebrities, including actresses Madison Smith and Madison Page.
Madison is also notable for being the name of several places in the United States, most famously Madison Square Garden in New York City and the city of Madison, Wisconsin. The latter was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
In literature, Madison has been used as a character name in several works, including the novel "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton and the television series "Sons of Anarchy."
Overall, Madison is a unique and attractive given name that has gained popularity over the years due to its historical roots and celebrity associations. It continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughters.
The data provided shows the annual number of births with the name Madison in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name Madison was not very popular. The highest number of births recorded during this period was 75 in 1923. However, this trend changed significantly in the mid-20th century.
From the 1980s onwards, there was a notable increase in the popularity of the name Madison. In 1985, there were 81 births, and by 1993, this number had risen to 222. This trend continued throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, with peaks reaching as high as 269 births in 1995.
However, towards the late 2000s and early 2010s, the popularity of the name Madison started to decline. From a peak of 207 births in 2004, the number of annual births with this name fell to as low as 26 births in 2023.
Overall, from 1880 to 2023, there were a total of 7816 babies named Madison born in the United States. This data shows how popular culture and trends can significantly influence naming choices over time.