Holding steady, #8,243 for boys today.
Popularity of Madsen since 1994
Babies named Madsen per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 26 |
| 2010s | 77 |
| 2020s | 53 |
Meaning & origin
Madsen is a Danish patronymic surname that has transitioned into use as a given name, a practice common among modern parents seeking distinctive yet familiar names. First recorded in the U.S. in 1994, it reached its peak popularity in 2024 (ranked in the top 8,000 at its highest). With a 1-in-189,786 rate in 2025, it remains rare but stable. The name has not yet appeared in the Social Security top baby names for any state, suggesting it has not gained broad regional traction. Its trajectory indicates a steady niche appeal rather than a surge.
Madsen is a Danish patronymic surname formed from the given name Mads, a Danish diminutive of either Matthew (from Hebrew Matityahu, 'gift of Yahweh') or Magnus (from Latin 'great'). As a first name, it is a modern usage, particularly in English-speaking countries, where surnames are adopted as given names. The name entered the U.S. Social Security records in 1994, reflecting a broader trend of using Scandinavian patronymics as first names.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mads, Mad
Sibling names for Madsen
Names that share Madsen's style, for a brother or sister.
