Magdalene Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Magdalene originates from Hebrew, meaning 'tower,' and has a rich biblical significance linked to Mary Magdalene, a key figure in Christianity. Through its evolution from Miriam to Magdalene and its variants, the name has retained a strong association with themes of faith and redemption. It is viewed positively in modern contexts, often associated with strength and resilience.
The name Magdalene is most popular in Kentucky, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the South 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, Magdalene 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, 'Magdalene' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 550th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 747th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1599th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3018th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2745th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2061st out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1748th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Magdalene' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Magdalene"
Pronunciation
/ˈmæɡ.də.lɪn/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Magdalene is derived from the Hebrew word 'Migdal,' meaning 'tower.' It is often associated with Mary Magdalene, a prominent figure in the New Testament.
Meaning
tower
Language Evolution
Miriam (Hebrew), Magdalene (Greek: Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή), Magdalena (Latin and various European languages)
Biblical Background
The name is most famously associated with Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus Christ, who is often regarded as a symbol of repentance and faith.
Historical Usage
The name Magdalene gained popularity in the Christian tradition during the early centuries of the church, particularly due to the veneration of Mary Magdalene.
Variants & Derivatives
Magdalena, Magda, Maggie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Magdalene is viewed with a sense of historical and spiritual significance, often associated with strength and redemption.
Famous People
Mary Magdalene (Biblical figure), Magdalene of Nagasaki (Christian martyr), Magdalena Frackowiak (Polish model)
Explore More Magdalene Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Magdalene"
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 "Magdalene"
"Magdalene" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 550th of 9107 | 2,932 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 747th of 9204 | 1,689 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1599th of 12526 | 810 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 3018th of 19264 | 371 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 2745th of 27321 | 647 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2061st of 35406 | 1,463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1748th of 30306 | 1,456 |
Regional Popularity of "Magdalene" 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 "Magdalene" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
32.63% 462nd/1416 |
34.59% 477th/1379 |
23.12% 547th/2366 |
100.00% 1142nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
57.70% 892nd/1546 |
43.12% 671st/1556 |
26.14% 615th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
74.99% 1670th/2227 |
67.53% 1641st/2430 |
48.86% 1394th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
66.75% 2325th/3483 |
- |
100.00% 4044th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
66.32% 2444th/3685 |
64.72% 2896th/4475 |
57.12% 2967th/5194 |
60.19% 3802nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
32.96% 1510th/4582 |
46.80% 2417th/5164 |
33.60% 2457th/7313 |
41.63% 3107th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
29.29% 1167th/3984 |
54.47% 2444th/4487 |
31.69% 2162nd/6822 |
37.06% 2326th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Magdalene"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Magdalene" 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.