Sophia Rodriguez

By Sophia Rodriguez
Cultural Naming Expert

Updated on September 02, 2024

Madeleine

US Popularity Rank: 902

Origin: French

Meaning: Woman of Magdala; One that evokes a memory

From the buttery French biscuit to the little girl who walked in two straight lines, everything about this French girl's name is sweet. Madeleine, which comes from the Latin name Magdalene, has an air of easy sophistication, which is probably due to the traditional French spelling—Madeline is the English version. The name means both a "woman from Magdala" and “one that evokes a memory.” This name is famously associated with Mary Magdalene, a figure in the Christian Bible who hailed from Magdala and was a disciple of Jesus. Today, she's considered a saint by Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches.