Find out how popular the first name Madge has been for the last 43 years (from 1974 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Madge by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Madge is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Madge.

The history of the first name Madge

The name Madge is an English feminine given name that has its origins in the Medieval period. It is a pet form or diminutive of the name Maud, which is derived from the Old French name Mahaut. Mahaut, in turn, is derived from the Germanic name Mathildis, which is composed of the elements "maht" meaning "might" or "strength" and "hild" meaning "battle."

The name Maud was popularized in England during the Middle Ages, and the shortened form Madge emerged as an affectionate nickname. It is believed that the name Madge first gained popularity in the 12th and 13th centuries, particularly among the English nobility and upper classes.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Madge can be found in the historical records of the Plantagenet dynasty in England. Madge FitzRoy, who lived in the late 12th century, was an illegitimate daughter of King Henry II of England and his mistress, Ida de Tosny.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Madge. Madge Kendal (1848-1935) was an English actress and manager of the St. James's Theatre in London. Madge Syers (1891-1970) was a British ceramist and artist known for her work with the Willow Art Pottery in Wales.

In literature, the name Madge has appeared in various works. In Charles Dickens' novel "The Old Curiosity Shop," the character of Madge Bray is a pivotal figure. Madge Jenison is a character in the novel "The Octopus: A Story of California" by Frank Norris, published in 1901.

Other notable individuals with the name Madge include Madge Bellamy (1899-1969), an American actress and singer who starred in several silent films in the 1920s, and Madge Allsop (1891-1958), an Australian artist and educator known for her landscape paintings.

While the name Madge was quite popular in England and other parts of the English-speaking world in the past, it has since declined in usage. However, it remains a part of the cultural and historical heritage of English names, reflecting the linguistic and societal influences of the Medieval period.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Madge was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Madge, please contact us.

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