Find out how popular the first name Madolyn has been for the last 44 years (from 1980 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Madolyn by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Madolyn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Madolyn.

The history of the first name Madolyn

The name Madolyn is a feminine given name of uncertain origin, though it is believed to be derived from various Old English and Old French roots. One theory suggests that it may be a combination of the Old English elements "mæd" (meaning "meadow") and "lind" (meaning "soft, tender, or linden tree").

Another possibility is that Madolyn is a variant of the Old French name Madeleine, which itself evolved from the ancient Hebrew name Migdal, meaning "tower" or "fortress." In this interpretation, Madolyn could be a diminutive form or a later evolution of Madeleine.

The name Madolyn may also have connections to the Latin name Magdalena, which was derived from the biblical figure Mary Magdalene. This connection could suggest a religious or spiritual connotation for the name.

Historical records indicate that the name Madolyn was in use as early as the 12th century, particularly in England and parts of France. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Madolyn de Montfort, a 12th-century noblewoman from the House of Montfort-l'Amaury in France.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Madolyn. These include Madolyn Avery (1919-2004), an American actress and singer; Madolyn Smith Osborne (1890-1935), an American novelist and poet; Madolyn Pugh (1917-2011), an American screenwriter best known for her work on the sitcom "I Love Lucy"; Madolyn Landry (born 1938), a Canadian singer and actress; and Madolyn Murray O'Hair (1919-1995), an American activist and founder of the organization American Atheists.

While the name Madolyn has undergone various spellings and transformations over the centuries, it has endured as a unique and captivating feminine name with a rich history and cultural significance.

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

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

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