Holding steady.
Popularity of Madge since 1880
Babies named Madge per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Madge's real moment was 1898.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 574 |
| 1890s | 1,162 |
| 1900s | 1,696 |
| 1910s | 3,335 |
| 1920s | 3,448 |
| 1930s | 1,553 |
| 1940s | 876 |
| 1950s | 484 |
| 1960s | 217 |
| 1970s | 67 |
| 1980s | 13 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Madge is a classic diminutive of Margaret that saw its highest usage in the late 19th century. According to Social Security data, Madge peaked in 1898 when it ranked 103 among girls. By the mid-20th century, its use declined sharply. Based on the trajectory, Madge has remained stable in obscurity, and the name was first recorded in 1880. While not widely used today, Madge retains a vintage charm and is occasionally chosen by parents seeking an old-fashioned nickname name.
Madge is an English diminutive of Margaret, which derives from the Greek 'margaritēs' meaning 'pearl'. Historically, Madge was used as a nickname and later became an independent given name, particularly popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Madge is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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
Sibling names for Madge
Names that share Madge's style, for a brother or sister.
