Find out how popular the first name Magdalene has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Magdalene by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Magdalene is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 140 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Magdalene.

The history of the first name Magdalene

The given name Magdalene is derived from the Aramaic name Migdal, meaning "tower" or "fortress". It has its origins in the biblical figure Mary Magdalene, one of the most prominent female disciples of Jesus Christ mentioned in the New Testament.

The name Magdalene first appeared in the Greek texts of the New Testament, where it was written as Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή (Maria hē Magdalēnē). This name referred to Mary's place of origin, the town of Magdala, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee in ancient Israel.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Magdalene is found in the Gospel of Luke, where Mary Magdalene is mentioned as one of the women who followed Jesus and provided for him from their resources. She is also portrayed as a witness to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Magdalene. One of the most famous was Magdalene of Verona (c. 1212–1300), an Italian Benedictine nun and mystic who was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1827.

Another prominent figure was Magdalena of Valois (1443–1495), the daughter of King Charles VII of France and wife of Gaston de Foix, Count of Candalle. She played a significant role in the political affairs of the French court during the 15th century.

In the arts, Magdalene was the name of the German-born painter Magdalena Pröll (1608–1675), known for her still-life paintings and portraits. Additionally, Magdalene Sünderin (1596–1637) was a German Baroque painter recognized for her religious works depicting scenes from the life of Mary Magdalene.

In literature, the name Magdalene features prominently in the novel "The Red and the Black" by Stendhal (1783–1842), where one of the main characters is a young woman named Magdalene de La Mole.

Another notable bearer of the name was Magdalene Odundo (born 1950), a British-Kenyan ceramist and artist known for her hand-built clay vessels inspired by traditional African pottery.

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

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

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