"son of Maud, son of Matthew"
Origin: English
Language: English
Madison
Pronunciation: [ m-AD-uhs-uhn ]
Does Madison flow with your last name?
The mermaid name that conquered the top of the charts
American
English
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Playful
Strong
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"An English surname turned first name; popularized as a girl's name in the 1984 film Splash; derived from 'son of Matthew'"
Origin: American English
Language: English
"gift of God"
Origin: Hebrew via English
Language: English
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The Story of Madison
Madison is a surname meaning 'son of Maud' (a medieval form of Matilda) or 'son of Matthew', ultimately from Hebrew Mattityahu meaning 'gift of God'. It was exclusively a surname until the 1984 film Splash, in which a mermaid picks the name from a New York street sign — making Madison one of the most directly film-influenced name creations in history.
Madison exploded from near-zero to the #1 girls' name in the US within two decades of the 1984 film Splash. It topped the charts in 2001 and 2002. Its decline began around 2010 as it became associated with the millennial generation, making it feel dated to the next wave of parents.
Madison Avenue in New York City is synonymous with the advertising industry, giving the name a sleek, cosmopolitan connotation. President James Madison, fourth President and Father of the Constitution, lends the name historical presidential prestige.
Historical Record
Madison first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 414,808 babies have been named Madison in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Madison is past its peak , currently ranked #46 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Madison went from almost unused to #1 girls' name in 17 years, entirely due to the 1984 film Splash
- Madison was the #1 girls' name in the US in 2001 and 2002
- Madison Avenue, where the name's fish character found it, became synonymous with American advertising
Madison in Other Languages
French
Madison
German
Madison
Spanish
Madison
Japanese
マジソン
Popularity Over Time
#46
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2001
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Madison
M
Madison Beer
Musician
1999
American singer-songwriter discovered on YouTube by Justin Bieber, known for her pop and R&B music
J
James Madison
Politician
1751
Fourth President of the United States and primary architect of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights
M
Madison (Splash) Fictional
Other
The mermaid protagonist of the 1984 film Splash, played by Daryl Hannah, whose choice of name directly sparked the Madis...
The mermaid protagonist of the 1984 film Splash, played by Daryl Hannah, whose choice of name directly sparked the Madison naming trend
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Compare Madison with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #46
- Total SSA Count
- 4,563
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Maddie
Maddy
Madi
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Madison
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Madison is also used as a boy name, ranked #3305.
View Madison as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (American)
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Old English (cyning + leah) origin
"king's meadow"
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Allison
Girl
Germanic origin
"of noble birth"
#99 in US
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Greek via Irish origin
"bright, shining light"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Madison
What does the name Madison mean?
"son of Maud, son of Matthew" (from English). "An English surname turned first name; popularized as a girl's name in the 1984 film Splash; derived from 'son of Matthew'" (from American English). "gift of God" (from Hebrew via English). Madison is a surname meaning 'son of Maud' (a medieval form of Matilda) or 'son of Matthew', ultimately from Hebrew Mattityahu meaning 'gift of God'. It was exclusively a surname until the 1984 film Splash, in which a mermaid picks the name from a New York street sign — making Madison one of the most directly film-influenced name creations in history.
What is the origin of the name Madison?
Madison has English, American English, Hebrew via English, and American origins. In English, it means "son of Maud, son of Matthew". In American English, it means "An English surname turned first name; popularized as a girl's name in the 1984 film Splash; derived from 'son of Matthew'". In Hebrew via English, it means "gift of God".
Is Madison a boy or girl name?
Madison is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #46. As a boy name, it is ranked #3305. Madison is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Madison?
Madison is pronounced m-AD-uhs-uhn.
How popular is the name Madison?
Madison is currently ranked #46 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Madison?
Common nicknames for Madison include Maddie, Maddy, and Madi.
What are good middle names for Madison?
Popular middle name pairings include Madison Grace, Madison Ann, Madison Rose, Madison Claire, Madison Marie, Madison Faith, and Madison Elizabeth.
What are good sibling names for Madison?
Names that pair well with Madison as siblings include Olivia, Emma, Avery, Logan, Jackson, Carter, and Harper.
How many syllables does Madison have?
Madison has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Madison a common or rare name?
Madison is a very popular name, ranked #46 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Madison?
About the Name Madison
Madison is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "son of Maud, son of Matthew" in English .
Is Madison a boy or girl name? Madison is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #46 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,305. Madison is more commonly used as a girl name.
Madison is currently ranked #46 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Madison has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-AD-uhs-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Madison include Maddie, Maddy, and Madi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Madison include Madilyn, Madilynn, Madisson, Madisyn, Madina . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis