Rising since 1998, #675 for boys today.
Popularity of Madden since 1997
Babies named Madden per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2012, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Madden's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 13 | 11 |
| 2000s | 369 | 1,509 |
| 2010s | 534 | 3,944 |
| 2020s | 635 | 2,218 |
Meaning & origin
Madden first appeared on the U.S. popularity charts in 1997 and has been rising ever since, with its steepest climb in the 2020s. Its peak year so far was 2023, when it reached its highest rank. The name is particularly favored in states like South Dakota, Utah, and Iowa, reflecting a regional preference in the upper Midwest and Mountain West. At 1 in 4,249 births in 2025, Madden remains a rare but recognizable choice, likely influenced by its surnames-as-first-names appeal and its straightforward, strong sound. The Irish origin connecting it to 'hound' gives it a subtle, rugged charm that fits modern naming trends without being overly common.
Madden is an anglicized form of the Irish surname Ó Madáin, meaning 'descendant of Madán', where Madán is a personal name derived from madadh ('dog' or 'hound') plus the diminutive suffix -án, thus 'little dog' or 'little hound'. The surname originated in County Galway and County Roscommon, and its use as a given name is a modern trend, beginning in the late 1990s in the United States.
Where Madden is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Madd, Maddy, Denny
Sibling names for Madden
Names that share Madden's style, for a brother or sister.
