girls' name · peaked 1998

Madeline

Anglicized from French Madeleine, from Ancient Greek Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ).

Every Madeline since 1880 — 207,630 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
123418801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Rank 2025
#81
among girls
Babies in 2025
3,086
named Madeline
Peak year
1998
5,869 babies
All-time total
207,630
since 1880

The story of Madeline

Madeline is a top-100 name for girls in the United States, ranked #81 in 2025 with 3,086 babies given the name. It is currently holding steady compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 207,630 American babies have been named Madeline. Its peak came in 1998, when 5,869 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Madeline stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Madeline year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 3,086 #81
2024 2,922 #86
2023 2,733 #95
2022 2,700 #102
2021 2,747 #95
2020 2,800 #96
2019 2,861 #98
2018 2,918 #100 5 #13,405
2017 2,966 #99
2016 3,280 #90 5 #13,452
2015 3,339 #91
2014 3,445 #89
2013 3,371 #90
2012 3,162 #96
2011 3,429 #85 6 #11,737
2010 3,604 #77 7 #10,345
2009 4,300 #64
2008 4,820 #56 9 #8,748
2007 4,705 #61 5 #13,633
2006 4,477 #71 7 #10,236
2005 4,528 #70 9 #8,064
2004 4,767 #63 17 #4,920
2003 4,976 #61 14 #5,444
2002 5,114 #56 6 #10,173
2001 5,222 #56 5 #11,659
2000 5,371 #56 9 #7,188
1995 4,430 #79 11 #5,378
1990 1,494 #198 8 #6,192
1985 382 #524
1980 232 #723
1975 270 #597
1970 354 #535
1965 464 #438
1960 573 #399
1955 602 #353 6 #3,739
1950 759 #281
1945 782 #237
1940 874 #200 5 #3,765
1935 714 #235
1930 1,144 #173 9 #2,924
1925 1,506 #158 7 #3,610
1920 1,779 #138
1915 1,670 #121
1910 560 #145
1905 412 #145
1900 389 #149
1895 237 #174
1890 96 #256
1885 41 #319
1880 22 #347

Famous people named Madeline

  1. Madeline Kahn Actor · 1942–1999
  2. Madeline Zima Actor · b. 1985
  3. Madeline Manning Athlete · b. 1948
  4. Madeline Carroll Actor · b. 1996

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Madeline mean?

Anglicized from French Madeleine, from Ancient Greek Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ).

How popular is the name Madeline in 2025?

Madeline ranked #81 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 3,086 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Madeline?

207,630 babies have been named Madeline in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Madeline most popular?

Madeline peaked in 1998, when 5,869 newborns received the name.

Is Madeline a boy or girl name?

Madeline is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Madeline rising or falling?

Madeline has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Who are famous people named Madeline?

Well-known people named Madeline include Madeline Kahn (actor), Madeline Zima (actor), Madeline Manning (athlete).

Names like Madeline

Compare Madeline with similar names →