How to say it
MAD · e · lyn
ˈmæd.ə.lɪn
Feminine
Madelyn
Of Magdala
What it means
Spelling variant of Madeline, both from Mary Magdalene of Magdala. The -lyn spelling is overwhelmingly American and twentieth-century.
Madelyn is a spelling variant of Madeline (which sees its full etymology under that name): both trace to Mary Magdalene of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, the Hebrew migdal meaning 'tower.' The -lyn spelling is an American 20th-century preference, choosing a softer ending consonant. Both spellings have surged in parallel with the broader Madeline/Madelyn/Madeleine family in the 2000s and 2010s. Maddie is the standard short across all spellings.
How to spell Madelyn
The standard spelling is Madelyn. Common variants include Madeline, Madeleine, Madelynn, but Madelyn is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #58 in 2023, currently #71 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
- Spelling
Madelyn, Madeline, Madeleine, and Madelynn all share the same Mary-of-Magdala root and the same Maddie nickname. The -lyn ending is the American 20th-century preference.
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.
- Madelyn Pugh American screenwriter, lead writer of I Love Lucy
Spelling variants
- Madeline
- Madeleine
- Madelynn
Names with the same feeling
See Madelyn from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Madelyn mean?
- Spelling variant of Madeline, both from Mary Magdalene of Magdala. The -lyn spelling is overwhelmingly American and twentieth-century.
- What does Madelyn mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Madelyn means "Of Magdala." Madelyn is a spelling variant of Madeline (which sees its full etymology under that name): both trace to Mary Magdalene of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee, the Hebrew migdal meaning 'tower.' The -lyn spelling is an American 20th-century preference, choosing a softer ending consonant. Both spellings have surged in parallel with the broader Madeline/Madelyn/Madeleine family in the 2000s and 2010s. Maddie is the standard short across all spellings.
- How do you pronounce Madelyn?
- Madelyn is pronounced ˈmæd.ə.lɪn. Say it as MAD-e-lyn, with the stress on the "mad" syllable.
- How do you spell Madelyn?
- The standard spelling is Madelyn. Common spelling variants include Madeline, Madeleine, Madelynn.
- Is Madelyn a boy or girl name?
- Madelyn is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Madelyn?
- Madelyn ranked #71 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.