Find out how popular the first name Madsen has been for the last 30 years (from 1994 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Madsen by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Madsen is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Madsen being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Madsen.

The history of the first name Madsen

The given name Madsen is of Scandinavian origin, specifically derived from the Danish and Norwegian languages. It is believed to have emerged during the Viking era, which spanned from the late 8th century to the 11th century AD. The name Madsen is a patronymic surname, meaning "son of Mads," with Mads being a diminutive form of the name Matthew.

The earliest recorded use of the name Madsen can be traced back to the 13th century in Denmark and Norway. It is thought to have roots in the Old Norse name Matthíasr, which was a vernacular form of the biblical name Matthew, derived from the Hebrew name Mattityahu, meaning "gift of God."

One of the earliest known historical figures bearing the name Madsen was Madsen Pederssøn, a Norwegian farmer and landowner who lived in the late 15th century. He is mentioned in historical records from the region of Trøndelag, Norway.

Another notable historical figure with the name Madsen was Hans Madsen, a Danish explorer and whaler who lived from 1808 to 1885. He is known for his expeditions to the Arctic regions and his contributions to the exploration of Greenland.

In the realm of literature, the Danish author and playwright Vilhelm Madsen (1876-1951) is a significant figure. His works, which included novels, short stories, and plays, were influential in the early 20th century literary scene in Denmark.

The name Madsen also has religious connections, as evidenced by the Danish theologian and bishop Hans Lassen Madsen (1808-1886). He played a prominent role in the Danish Lutheran Church during the 19th century and was known for his reformist views.

Lastly, in the field of science, the Norwegian physicist and meteorologist Bjørn Madsen (1904-1988) made significant contributions to the understanding of atmospheric physics and the study of auroras.

These are just a few examples of notable historical figures who bore the given name Madsen, highlighting its long-standing presence in Scandinavian culture and its connections to various fields throughout history.

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

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

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