Magdalene
How to say it: MAG-duh-lin · /ˈmægdəlin/
From Magdala, Aramaic for 'tower' - biblical name via Mary Magdalene, meaning 'woman from Magdala'.
Magdalene was the 1,113th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 165 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1910s, its births are up about 40% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #922 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #1,113 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 165 |
| Share of births | 1 in 20,092 |
| Peak decade | 1910s |
| Change over 10 years | +40% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #922 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Nearly gone after the 1970s, Magdalene has returned in a much smaller way than its 1910s high. A further lift looks likely.
What goes with it
Mellow yet crisp around the edges, Magdalene feels solemn and saintly. Theodora and Matilda pair naturally.
Parents who love Magdalene also love
Nicknames
- Maggie
- Magda
- Lena
- Mags
Honouring a Magdalene in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Magdalene is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, English, German, Greek, Hebrew, Norwegian.
Famous people named Magdalene
- Magdalene Thoresen (1819–1903)Danish-born Norwegian writer
- Magdalene Odundo (born 1950)Kenyan-British artist
- Magdalene of Nagasaki (1611–1634)Japanese saint
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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