How to say it
MAD · e · leine
ˈmæd.ə.lɪn
Feminine
Madeleine
Of Magdala
What it means
The French form of Magdalene, 'woman of Magdala,' the town by the Sea of Galilee.
Madeleine is the elegant French form of Magdalene, meaning 'of Magdala,' a town on the Sea of Galilee and the home of Mary Magdalene. The little shell-shaped madeleine cake, made famous by Proust, adds a literary sweetness. It is the dressier cousin of Madeline and Madelyn. Maddie is the short. Said MAD-uh-lin.
How to spell Madeleine
The standard spelling is Madeleine. Common variants include Madeline, Madelyn, Magdalene, but Madeleine is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #217 in 1998, currently #455 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Maddie.
- Spelling
The French spelling of Madeline; see also Madelyn.
- Pop culture
Proust's madeleine cake.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Madeleine Albright U.S. Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001, the first woman to hold the office
- Madeleine L'Engle American author of the novel A Wrinkle in Time
Spelling variants
- Madeline
- Madelyn
- Magdalene
Names with the same feeling
See Madeleine from another angle
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Madeleine mean?
- The French form of Magdalene, 'woman of Magdala,' the town by the Sea of Galilee.
- What does Madeleine mean in French?
- In French, Madeleine means "Of Magdala." Madeleine is the elegant French form of Magdalene, meaning 'of Magdala,' a town on the Sea of Galilee and the home of Mary Magdalene. The little shell-shaped madeleine cake, made famous by Proust, adds a literary sweetness. It is the dressier cousin of Madeline and Madelyn. Maddie is the short. Said MAD-uh-lin.
- How do you pronounce Madeleine?
- Madeleine is pronounced ˈmæd.ə.lɪn. Say it as MAD-e-leine, with the stress on the "mad" syllable.
- How do you spell Madeleine?
- The standard spelling is Madeleine. Common spelling variants include Madeline, Madelyn, Magdalene.
- Is Madeleine a boy or girl name?
- Madeleine is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Madeleine?
- Madeleine ranked #455 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.