Lena vs Madelyn

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Lena

Girl #263 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bright, shining light"

Origin: Greek via Helena

Cultural Roots

Greek German Russian Scandinavian English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#263
Total SSA Count
1,211
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Lena →

Madelyn

Girl #65 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"high tower, elevated"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

American French English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#65
Total SSA Count
3,364
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Maddie, Maddy, Mae

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Madelyn →

Popularity Comparison

Lena Rank #263
Madelyn Rank #65

Madelyn is more popular, ranked #65 vs #263 for Lena.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Lena ___

  • Lena Rose
  • Lena Grace
  • Lena Marie
  • Lena Claire
  • Lena Jo
  • Lena Pearl

Madelyn ___

  • Madelyn Rose
  • Madelyn Grace
  • Madelyn Claire
  • Madelyn Anne
  • Madelyn Elizabeth
  • Madelyn Kate

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Lena

Otto Stefan Nina Petra Lars

If you choose Madelyn

Sophie Charlotte Benjamin Elijah Olivia

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 Lena or Madelyn more popular?

Madelyn is more popular, ranked #65 compared to Lena at #263 in the United States.

What do Lena and Madelyn mean?

Lena means "bright, shining light" (Greek via Helena origin). Madelyn means "high tower, elevated" (Greek origin).

Are Lena and Madelyn boy or girl names?

Lena is primarily a girl name. Madelyn is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Lena ← Full profile: Madelyn Browse all baby names