The name Madeline derives from the Germanic roots 'mat' meaning 'powerful' and 'hild' meaning 'battle'. It is closely related to the name Matilda. The earliest known use of the name Madeline dates back to the 7th century in areas of modern-day Germany and France.

As the name evolved over the centuries, common spellings included Madeleine, Madelon, Madelin, and Madelyn. The French form Madeleine gained popularity after the biblical figure Mary Magdalene, whose name means 'woman from Magdala'. In some Christian traditions, she is associated with perfume and is considered the patron saint of perfumers, hairdressers, and converts.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Madeline comes from a 12th-century French epic poem called 'The Song of Roland'. The poem features a character named Aude, who was the betrothed of the hero Roland. Some scholars believe her name may have been a form of Madeline.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Madeline. Madeline de Verchères (1678-1747) was a French-Canadian heroine who defended a fort against an Iroquois attack at the age of 14. Madeline Albright (1937-2022) was the first female United States Secretary of State, serving under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001.

Madeline Miller (born 1978) is a contemporary American novelist best known for her works 'The Song of Achilles' and 'Circe', which reimagine classical Greek mythology. Madeline Kahn (1942-1999) was an American actress and comedian renowned for her roles in films such as 'Paper Moon' and 'Young Frankenstein'.

Madeline L'Engle (1918-2007) was an American writer who authored the classic children's book 'A Wrinkle in Time', which won the Newbery Medal in 1963. The book's protagonist, a young girl named Meg Murry, has a younger brother named Charles Wallace who affectionately calls her 'Madeline'.