Madeline

Definition

Madeline, with its various spellings such as Madeleine, Madaline, Madaliene, Madaleine and Madalain, comes from St Mary Magdalen, the reformed sinner who anointed Christ with costly perfume and washed His feet with her tears and hair. Her second name means "woman of Magdala", a village on the Sea of Galilee. Other forms of the name include Magdalen(e), shortened to Magda, and Madelena or Madalena, shortened to Lena and the Scandinavian form Malin. From the old pronunciation of the name, Maudlin (which also gives us the adjective, from her tears of repentance), comes the occasional short form Maude or Maud, which properly belongs to Matilda. Madge, properly belonging to Margaret, can also be found as a pet form. Maddie or Maddy is, however, the usual short form. Madeleine is currently the most popular spelling in the UK, Madeline in the USA.

Sex

Girls

Similar names

Madge, Magda, Magdalen, Magdalene, Malin, Maud, Maude, Maudlin

Naming Your Baby
Copyright © 2007 Julia Cresswell