What does Madilyn mean and where does it come from?
Madilyn is a modern and creative spelling variation of Madeline, which has French and Hebrew origins. The name is derived from the Hebrew name מְגַדָּל (Migdol), meaning 'tower', as well as referring to Mary Magdalene, a biblical figure from the New Testament. In recent years, the spelling Madilyn h
Cultural significance
Madilyn has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of variant of madeline, meaning 'high tower' or 'woman from magdala'..
Peak popularity
Reached #287 in 2012 — currently #360 in the US.
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Related Reading
American-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Madilyn?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Madilyn?
Madilyn works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Madilyn Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Madilyn Rose
Floral · soft ending
Madilyn Mae
Sweet · timeless
Madilyn Claire
French influence · crisp
Madilyn Jane
Literary · strong
Madilyn Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Madilyn right now?
Declining — down 28 spots — currently #360 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #360 | 847 | ▼ down 28 · -13% births |
| 2022 | #332 | 971 | ▼ down 13 · -5% births |
| 2021 | #319 | 1,019 | ▲ up 6 · +8% births |
| 2020 | #325 | 943 | ▼ down 10 · -8% births |
| 2015 | #315 | 1,025 | ▲ up 19 · +6% births |
| 2010 | #334 | 964 | ▲ up 165 · +58% births |
| 2005 | #499 | 610 | ▲ up 142 · +56% births |
| 2000 | #641 | 391 | ▲ up 843 · +265% births |
| 1995 | #1484 | 107 | ▲ up 3252 · +435% births |
| 1990 | #4736 | 20 | ▲ up 4810 · +233% births |
| 1985 | #9546 | 6 | ▼ down 183 · +20% births |
| 1975 | #9363 | 5 | ▼ down 3114 |
| 1955 | #6249 | 5 | ▼ down 2075 · -37% births |
| 1950 | #4174 | 8 | ▼ down 864 · -11% births |
| 1945 | #3310 | 9 | — |
The story of Madilyn
Madilyn entered American naming records in 1924 and has been in use for over 100 years. A total of 19,346 babies have received this name. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #4216 in 1940 to #360 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Madilyn in 2012:
Madilyn by decade
Madilyn peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1920s | 7 | |
| 1930s | 24 | |
| 1940s | 32 | |
| 1950s | 29 | |
| 1970s | 16 | |
| 1980s | 75 | |
| 1990s | 1,191 | |
| 2000s | 6,930 | |
| 2010s ★ | 10,099 | |
| 2020s | 943 | |
What are good nicknames for Madilyn?
CROATIAN
MagdaMajdaMandaMandica
What names sound and feel like Madilyn?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Madilyn also consider these
How is Madilyn written in other languages?
Common questions about the name Madilyn
What does the name Madilyn mean?
Madilyn means "Variant of Madeline, meaning 'high tower' or 'woman from Magdala'." — a name rooted in American 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 Madilyn?
Madilyn is currently ranked #360 in the United States as a girl name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.
What is the cultural origin of Madilyn?
Madilyn originates from American tradition. American 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 Madilyn?
Madilyn is a three-syllable name pronounced M AA1 D AY1 L IH1 N. 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 Madilyn?
Madilyn pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.