Rising since 1989, #4,460 for girls today.
Popularity of Maddalena since 1916
Babies named Maddalena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 10 |
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 6 |
| 1940s | 5 |
| 1950s | 26 |
| 1960s | 71 |
| 1970s | 67 |
| 1980s | 41 |
| 1990s | 71 |
| 2000s | 170 |
| 2010s | 252 |
| 2020s | 150 |
Meaning & origin
Maddalena is a distinctly Italian form of Magdalene, a name deeply rooted in biblical tradition through Mary Magdalene. In the United States, the name has seen a gradual resurgence, ranking #4460 in 2025 with about 1 in 51847 girls receiving the name. Its peak year was 2015, and it has been on an upward trajectory since 1989, reflecting renewed interest in classic European names. The name is most popular in New York, home to a sizable Italian American community. Maddalena offers a melodic alternative to the more common Magdalena or Madeline, preserving cultural heritage while remaining accessible in English-speaking contexts.
Maddalena is the Italian form of Magdalene, derived from the biblical place name Magdala, meaning 'tower' in Hebrew. It has been used in Italy since the Middle Ages, often in honor of Mary Magdalene. The name has maintained steady usage in Italy and among Italian diaspora communities.
Where Maddalena is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Maddalena” around the world
Where Maddalena lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lena, Maddy, Maddi
Sibling names for Maddalena
Names that share Maddalena's style, for a brother or sister.
