What does Maddalena mean and where does it come from?
Maddalena is the Italian form of Magdalene, derived from the Hebrew name מִגְדַּל (Migdal) meaning 'tower.' It has biblical associations as it refers to Mary Magdalene, a key figure in the New Testament. The name has been used widely throughout history and retains popularity in Italy and parts of Fr
Cultural significance
Maddalena has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Italy-speaking communities, where it reflects values of woman from magdala.
Peak popularity
Reached #3456 in 1966 — currently #4819 in the US.
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Related Reading
Italy-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Maddalena?
Maddalena works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Maddalena Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Maddalena Rose
Floral · soft ending
Maddalena Mae
Sweet · timeless
Maddalena Claire
French influence · crisp
Maddalena Jane
Literary · strong
Maddalena Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Maddalena right now?
Rising fast — up 593 spots — currently #4819 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #4819 | 28 | ▲ up 593 · +17% births |
| 2022 | #5412 | 24 | ▲ up 454 · +14% births |
| 2021 | #5866 | 21 | ▼ down 1133 · -22% births |
| 2020 | #4733 | 27 | ▼ down 577 · -23% births |
| 2015 | #4156 | 35 | ▲ up 5119 · +192% births |
| 2010 | #9275 | 12 | ▲ up 241 · +9% births |
| 2005 | #9516 | 11 | ▼ down 2662 · -27% births |
| 2000 | #6854 | 15 | ▲ up 2793 · +88% births |
| 1995 | #9647 | 8 | ▼ down 155 · +33% births |
| 1985 | #9492 | 6 | ▼ down 3867 · -40% births |
| 1975 | #5625 | 10 | ▼ down 100 · +11% births |
| 1970 | #5525 | 9 | ▲ up 1264 · +80% births |
| 1965 | #6789 | 5 | ▼ down 2210 · -44% births |
| 1960 | #4579 | 9 | ▲ up 868 · +50% births |
| 1955 | #5447 | 6 | — |
The story of Maddalena
Maddalena entered American naming records in 1916 and has been in use for over 108 years. With 754 total births recorded, Maddalena remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #5448 in 1920 to #4819 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Maddalena in 1966:
Maddalena by decade
Maddalena peaked in the 1960s. See all 1960s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1910s | 10 | |
| 1920s | 11 | |
| 1930s | 6 | |
| 1940s | 5 | |
| 1950s | 26 | |
| 1960s | 70 | |
| 1970s | 65 | |
| 1980s | 41 | |
| 1990s | 71 | |
| 2000s | 170 | |
| 2010s ★ | 252 | |
| 2020s | 27 | |
💎Maddalena has only 754 total recorded births since 1916 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Maddalena?
CROATIAN
MagdaMajdaMandaMandica
What names sound and feel like Maddalena?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Maddalena also consider these
How is Maddalena written in other languages?
Common questions about the name Maddalena
What does the name Maddalena mean?
Maddalena means "woman from Magdala" — a name rooted in Italy tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Maddalena?
Maddalena is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Maddalena have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Maddalena?
Maddalena originates from Italy tradition. Italy names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Maddalena?
Maddalena is a four-syllable name pronounced M AA0 D AA0 L EH1 N AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Maddalena?
Maddalena pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Italy heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.