Madeleine (name)

Madeleine or Madeline is a feminine given name, ultimately of Greek origin. The name exists in various spellings and pronunciations and is popular among those living in Europe and English-speakers, as well as followers of Christianity, as Mary Magdalene was a central figure in the New Testament.

Madeline
Mary Magdalene, the saint responsible for the popularity of the name Madeline, in a painting by Frederick Sandys
Pronunciation/ˈmædəlɪn/ MAD-əl-in
French: [madˈlɛn, madˈlen]
Madeline:
/ˈmædəln/ MAD-ə-lyne, /-ln/ -leen, /-lɪn/ -lin
GenderFemale
Origin
Meaning"from the city of Magdala"
Other names
Related namesMadelyn/Madalyn, Magdalena, Magdalene, მაგდა (Geo:Magda), Maddalena, Maddy/Maddie
Popularitysee popular names

Madeleine is a modern rendering, found in English and French, of the Greek epithet Μαγδαληνὴ (Magdalene, "from Magdala"). It arose as a name due to its association with the Biblical character and female disciple Mary Magdalene. It has a secondary meaning from German of "little girl" (Mädelein).

Pronunciation depends on the language and the country. In France, the name is pronounced /ma.dlɛn/ and the two most popular pronunciations in English are /ˈmædələn/ (American English) and /ˈmadlɪn/ (British English).

Madelyn/Madalyn is an alternative spelling. Diminutives include Maddy/Maddie, Maddi and Leine.

People named Madeleine

People named Madeline

Fictional characters

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