The story behind Magdalene
From Ancient Greek Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnḗ, “woman from Magdala”), byname of the biblical Mary Magdalene, "Mary of Magdala", from Μαγδαλά (Magdalá), the name of a village on Lake Galilee (the name of which derives from Hebrew מגדל (migdál, “tower”)). Generic use comes from the traditional association of Mary Magdalene with the "woman which was a sinner" mentioned in Luke 7:37. Doublet of Madeleine, Magdalen, Magdalena, and Maudlin.
Pronunciation
General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈmæɡdəlin/
Regional pronunciation variants
- Upper Midwestern US, Northwestern US, Canada: /ˈmeɪ̯ɡdəlin/
- certain placenames in Oxford and Cambridge, varieties of fruit: /ˈmɔːdlɪn/
Popularity
Magdalene ranked #1345 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Magdalene
Baldassarre
Ultimately from Hebrew.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gamaliele
From Late Latin Gamaliēl from Koine Greek Γαμαλιήλ (Gamaliḗl) from Aramaic גַמַלִיאיֵל (Ḡamalīʾēl) from Biblical Hebrew גַּמְלִיאֵל (Gamlīʾēl). Compare Classical Syriac…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Habacuque
a male given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Habakkuk
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Isabelle
Borrowed from French Isabelle. From Old Spanish Isabel in the 12th century, ultimately from Hebrew אֱלִישֶׁבַע (Elishéva, “my God is an oath”). From French Isabelle.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Salomone
From Latin Salomōn, from Ancient Greek Σολομών (Solomṓn), from Hebrew שְׁלֹמֹה (Shlomo), from שָׁלוֹם (shalom, “peace”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Madeleine
From French Madeleine. Doublet of Magdalene. Inherited from Latin Magdalēna. Doublet of Magdaléna.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Magdalene
Aarão
From Latin Aarōn, from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן ('aharón). Doublet of Faro.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aarón
a male given name from Latin [in turn from Ancient Greek, in turn from Hebrew], equivalent to English Aaron
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Magdalene
Abdiasz
Learned borrowing from Latin Abdias, from Ancient Greek Ἀβδίας (Abdías), from Hebrew עובדיה.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abednego
From Hebrew עֲבֵד נְגוֹא, itself derived from a reconstructed Aramaic name meaning likely "servant of Nabu" or "servant of Nergal".
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends O
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length