Emma vs Magdalena

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Emma

Girl #2 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"strength"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#2
Total SSA Count
13,485
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Em, Emmy

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
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Magdalena

Girl #836 Most Popular 4 Syllables

Meaning

"woman from Magdala"

Origin: Hebrew Migdal (tower)

Cultural Roots

Spanish Polish Czech Slovak German Latin American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#836
Total SSA Count
321
Syllables
4
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Magda, Lena, Maggie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Magdalena →

Popularity Comparison

Emma Rank #2
Magdalena Rank #836

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #836 for Magdalena.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Magdalena ___

  • Magdalena Sofia
  • Magdalena Elena
  • Magdalena Rose
  • Magdalena Victoria
  • Magdalena Clara
  • Magdalena Isabel

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

If you choose Magdalena

Sebastiana Catalina Rafael Sebastian Matthias

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emma or Magdalena more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Magdalena at #836 in the United States.

What do Emma and Magdalena mean?

Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin). Magdalena means "woman from Magdala" (Hebrew Migdal (tower) origin).

Are Emma and Magdalena boy or girl names?

Emma is primarily a girl name. Magdalena is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Emma ← Full profile: Magdalena Browse all baby names