Magdalene

“מַגְדַל עִנָּכָא (Magdal), meaning 'of Magdala', a region on the Sea of Galilee.” — Associated with Mary Magdalene from the New Testament

Hebrew origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#1530US 2023

140Births / yr

↑Rising

9.3kAll-time births

📅 Since 188000.02% of births at peak

How to pronounce Magdalene

MAGD·ul·een

/ˈmæɡd.əl.ˌiːn/ · stress on MAGD · 3 syllables

“מַגְדַל עִנָּכָא (Magdal), meaning 'of Magdala', a region on the Sea of Galilee.”

Associated with Mary Magdalene from the New Testament · Hebrew origin

What does Magdalene mean and where does it come from?

Magdalene has roots in Hebrew, specifically referring to the town of Magdala. It is most famously associated with Mary Magdalene from the New Testament, often depicted as a figure of compassion and forgiveness. The name has been used in various countries and holds significant religious connotations,

Cultural significance

Magdalene has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Hebrew-speaking communities, where it reflects values of מַגְדַל עִנָּכָא (magdal), meaning 'of magdala', a region on the sea of galilee..

Peak popularity

Reached #434 in 1904 — currently #1530 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Magdalene?

Magdalene works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Magdalene Grace

How popular is Magdalene right now?

Rising fast — up 197 spots — currently #1530 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1880–2023#1530 · Top 1.1%

1965

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2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1530	140	▲ up 197 · +16% births
2022	#1727	121	▲ up 382 · +34% births
2021	#2109	90	▼ down 331 · -18% births
2020	#1778	110	▲ up 11 · -5% births
2015	#1789	116	▲ up 57 · +5% births
2010	#1846	110	▼ down 127 · -4% births
2005	#1719	115	▲ up 183 · +29% births
2000	#1902	89	▲ up 787 · +98% births
1995	#2689	45	▲ up 211 · +15% births
1990	#2900	39	▼ down 415
1985	#2485	39	▲ up 729 · +50% births
1980	#3214	26	▼ down 529 · -7% births
1975	#2685	28	▲ up 631 · +47% births
1970	#3316	19	▼ down 903 · -24% births
1965	#2413	25	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Magdalene

Best Year1915Rank #506

Peak Count182

Average Rank#1628

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

The story of Magdalene

Magdalene has been a beloved American name for over 144 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1880. With 9,312 total births recorded, Magdalene remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #484 in 1880, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #1530 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Magdalene in 1904:

Mary Helen Anna Margaret Ruth

Magdalene by decade

Magdalene peaked in the 1900s. See all 1900s names →

Decade	Births
1880s	146
1890s	282
1900s	402
1910s	1,269
1920s ★	1,558
1930s	1,009
1940s	619
1950s	457
1960s	273
1970s	220
1980s	339
1990s	530
2000s	950
2010s	1,148
2020s	110

💎With 9,312 total births, Magdalene is an uncommon but established name.

What are good nicknames for Magdalene?

AFRICAN AMERICAN

Shelena

CROATIAN

MagdaMajdaMandaMandica

CZECH

AlenaLenkaMagda

DANISH

LenaMagdaMalene

Famous people named Magdalene

Magdalene (historical community leader)

Magdalene led communities across the ancient Near East who passed this name through generations.

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Celebrity Names

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What names sound and feel like Magdalene?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Magdalene also consider these

Magalene

Israel · of Magdala

Magdelene

American · of Magdala

American · Variant of Marva,

Madgalene

Greece · from Magdala

Marcalene

American · Derived from Marcella,

Maralene

American · A blend of

How is Magdalene written in other languages?

Μαγδαληνη

Ancient Greek

Common questions about the name Magdalene

What does the name Magdalene mean?

Magdalene means "מַגְדַל עִנָּכָא (Magdal), meaning 'of Magdala', a region on the Sea of Galilee." — a name rooted in Hebrew 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 Magdalene?

Magdalene is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Magdalene have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Magdalene?

Magdalene originates from Hebrew tradition. Hebrew 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 Magdalene?

Magdalene is a three-syllable name pronounced M AE1 G D AH0 L IY2 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 Magdalene?

Magdalene pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Hebrew heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.