Find out how popular the first name Madigan has been for the last 32 years (from 1992 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Madigan by gender

Based on the last 32 years of data, Madigan is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 10 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Madigan.

The history of the first name Madigan

The name Madigan is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Madagán," which means "little dog" or "little hound." This name has its roots in early medieval Ireland, dating back to the 5th or 6th century CE.

Madigan was a relatively common name among the Irish, particularly in the regions of Connacht and Munster. It is believed to have been a diminutive form of the name "Máedóc," which was derived from the Old Irish word "máed," meaning "lord" or "chief."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Madigan can be found in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. The annals mention a man named Madigan O'Conor, who lived in the 14th century and was a member of the O'Conor dynasty, a prominent family in Connacht.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Madigan. One of the most famous was Sir John Madigan (1801-1875), an Irish-born soldier and politician who served as the Governor of Western Australia from 1868 to 1875. Another notable Madigan was Mary Madigan (1905-1986), an American actress and vaudeville performer who appeared in several films in the 1930s and 1940s.

In the literary world, Francis Madigan (1918-1998) was an American author and journalist who wrote several novels and non-fiction works, including the critically acclaimed memoir "Borrowed Tides" (1961). Additionally, Edward Madigan (1936-1994) was an American politician who served as the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush.

Finally, one cannot discuss the name Madigan without mentioning Joseph Madigan (1891-1935), an Irish revolutionary and politician who played a significant role in the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. He served as a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and later became a member of the Dáil Éireann, the Irish parliament.

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 Madigan was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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