Madeleine (given name)
Name list / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Madeleine or Madeline is a feminine given name, ultimately of Greek origin. The name exists in various spellings and pronunciations and is popular among those living in Europe and English-speakers, as well as followers of Christianity, as Mary Magdalene was a central figure in the New Testament.
Pronunciation | /ˈmædəlɪn/ MAD-əl-in French: [madˈlɛn, madˈlen] Madeline: /ˈmædəlaɪn/ MAD-ə-lyne, /-liːn/ -leen, /-lɪn/ -lin |
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Gender | Female |
Origin | |
Meaning | "from the city of Magdala" |
Other names | |
Related names | Madelyn/Madalyn, Magdalena, Magdalene, მაგდა (Geo:Magda), Maddalena, Maddy/Maddie |
Popularity | see popular names |
Madeleine is a modern rendering, found in English and French, of the Greek epithet Μαγδαληνὴ (Magdalene, "from Magdala"). It arose as a name due to its association with the Biblical character and female disciple Mary Magdalene. It has a secondary meaning from German of "little girl" (Mädelein).
Pronunciation depends on the language and the country. In France, the name is pronounced /ma.dlɛn/ and the two most popular pronunciations in English are /ˈmædələn/ (American English) and /ˈmadlɪn/ (British English).[citation needed]
Madelyn and Madalyn are alternative spellings. Diminutives include Maddy, Maddie, Maddi and Leine.