Magdalen Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Magdalen originates from Hebrew, meaning 'tower'. It evolved through various languages, including Greek and Latin, and is closely linked to Mary Magdalene from the New Testament. The name is often associated with traits of grace and redemption, and while it has historical roots in Christian tradition, it maintains a classic appeal in modern contexts.
The name Magdalen is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Magdalen has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Magdalen' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 852nd out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1635th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3488th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6769th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6194th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4573rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 6448th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Magdalen' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Magdalen"
Pronunciation
/ˈmæɡdəˌlɛn/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Magdalen is derived from the Hebrew name 'Migdol' which means 'tower'. It is associated with Mary Magdalene, a figure in the New Testament.
Meaning
tower
Language Evolution
Miriam (Hebrew), Magdalene (Greek), Magdalen (Latin/Old English)
Biblical Background
The name is strongly associated with Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus Christ, who is often depicted as a symbol of repentance and redemption.
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in medieval Europe, particularly in Christian contexts, due to the veneration of Mary Magdalene as a saint.
Variants & Derivatives
Magdalene, Maddie, Lena
Modern Popularity & Image
Magdalen is viewed as a classic and somewhat traditional name, often associated with grace and religious significance.
Famous People
Mary Magdalene (Biblical figure), Magdalen College, Oxford (notable institution), Magdalen Nabb (author)
Explore More Magdalen Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Magdalen"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Magdalen"
"Magdalen" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 852nd of 9107 | 1,259 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1635th of 9204 | 437 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3488th of 12526 | 224 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6769th of 19264 | 104 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6194th of 27321 | 204 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4573rd of 35406 | 468 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 6448th of 30306 | 224 |
Regional Popularity of "Magdalen" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Magdalen" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
40.18% 569th/1416 |
45.47% 627th/1379 |
- | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
86.48% 1337th/1546 |
69.34% 1079th/1556 |
95.75% 2253rd/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
85.27% 3907th/4582 |
94.17% 4863rd/5164 |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
100.00% 7463rd/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
88.13% 3511th/3984 |
- | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Magdalen"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Magdalen" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.