Madrid first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Madrid has been for the last 44 years (from 1975 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Madrid

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "fertile, flowery meadow".

Popularity of Madrid by gender

Based on the last 44 years of data, Madrid is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 84% of people named Madrid being female.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Madrid.

Year Male Count Female Count
2018 0 5
2016 0 5
2015 0 5
2013 0 6
2004 0 6
1975 5 0

The history of the first name Madrid

The name Madrid is a Spanish toponym that originated from the Arabic word "Majrīt" (مجريط), which means "source of water" or "place of many streams." This name was given to the city of Madrid, the capital of Spain, due to its location on the banks of the Manzanares River and its abundance of fresh water sources.

In the 9th century, during the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the city of Madrid was founded by the Moors and named Majrīt. This Arabic name eventually evolved into the Spanish form "Madrid" as the city grew in importance and became a significant settlement in the region.

The name Madrid first appeared in written records during the 11th century, when it was mentioned in Arabic texts and chronicles describing the region. As the city gained prominence, the name Madrid became more widely known and used throughout Europe.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Madrid being used as a personal name dates back to the 13th century, when a nobleman named Madrid de Lara was mentioned in Spanish historical documents. However, it was not until the 16th and 17th centuries that the name Madrid began to gain popularity as a given name, particularly among Spanish families with ties to the city or region.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Madrid, including:

  1. Madrid Gómez de la Reguera (1568-1638), a Spanish military officer and conquistador who participated in the conquest of Chile.
  2. Madrid Dávila (1600-1667), a Spanish painter and engraver from Madrid, known for his works depicting religious scenes and portraits.
  3. Madrid Fernández de Navarrete (1620-1689), a Spanish naval officer and historian who wrote extensively about the maritime history of Spain.
  4. Madrid Codina (1790-1857), a Spanish painter and lithographer, famous for his portraits and landscapes.
  5. Madrid Rodríguez (1851-1917), a Spanish politician and lawyer who served as the President of the Council of State in Spain.

While the name Madrid has its origins in Arabic and was initially associated with the city of Madrid, it eventually became a widely used given name across Spain and other Spanish-speaking regions, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and history of the Iberian Peninsula.

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

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

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"Madrid first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 9, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/madrid-meaning-and-history/.

"Madrid first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/madrid-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 9 June, 2025

Madrid first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/madrid-meaning-and-history/.

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