Madelon

Meaning & origin

Madelon is a rare, old-fashioned girl's name with a gentle, vintage feel. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1897 and reached its peak popularity in 1920, when it was given to a modest number of babies per million. Since then, its use has declined steadily, and it now falls outside the top 1000 names, with a stable trajectory of very low usage. The name's connection to the classic Madeline gives it a familiar root while remaining distinctive. Though no top states are associated with Madelon, its heritage as a Dutch and French diminutive lends it a cross-cultural charm.

Madelon is a variant of Madeline, itself derived from Magdalene, meaning "of Magdala" (a town on the Sea of Galilee) and later associated with the term "tower" (Hebrew migdal). The name became popular in the English-speaking world through the figure of Mary Magdalene. Madelon, specifically, is a Dutch and French diminutive form that was occasionally used in the United States in the early 20th century.