Declining since 2018, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Madalena since 1911
Babies named Madalena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 11 |
| 1920s | 36 |
| 1930s | 33 |
| 1940s | 17 |
| 1950s | 31 |
| 1960s | 52 |
| 1970s | 61 |
| 1980s | 30 |
| 1990s | 95 |
| 2000s | 164 |
| 2010s | 194 |
| 2020s | 103 |
Meaning & origin
Madalena is a Portuguese and Italian variation of the classic name Magdalene, made famous by Mary Magdalene in the Christian tradition. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1911, but its most notable presence came in the 2010s, when it reached its peak rank in 2010. From that year onward, and especially since 2018, its use has steadily declined, yet it remains a distinctive choice for families drawn to its European elegance and biblical resonance. At 1 in 94,545 births (2025 rate), it is far less common than the English Magdalene or the Spanish Magdalena, giving it a quiet, sophisticated rarity without being unknown.
Madalena is a Portuguese and Italian form of Magdalena, which derives from the Greek Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnē), meaning "of Magdala." Magdala was a village on the Sea of Galilee, whose name in Aramaic (migdāl) means "tower." The name is most famously borne by Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus, and has been widely used across Christian cultures since the Middle Ages. In the U.S., Madalena was first recorded in 1911 and saw a peak in popularity in 2010.
“Madalena” around the world
Where Madalena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mada, Lena, Maddy, Dada
Sibling names for Madalena
Names that share Madalena's style, for a brother or sister.
