"high tower"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Maddie
Pronunciation: [ m-AD-ee ]
Girl Name
#837 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
Sweet and spirited, classic at heart
English
American
Australian
Playful
Gentle
Modern
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the high-profile Madeleine McCann disappearance case (2007), a sensitivity for some UK families
The Story of Maddie
Maddie is primarily a nickname for Madeleine or Madeline, which traces back to the Greek 'Magdalene,' referring to Mary Magdalene — a woman from the city of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee. The Hebrew root may mean 'tower' or 'elevated.' The French form Madeleine became fashionable in medieval Europe through religious devotion to Mary Magdalene. Used independently as Maddie since the late 20th century, it took on a cheerful, standalone identity.
Maddie emerged as a standalone given name in the 1990s and 2000s, boosted by the general trend of using nickname-names as formal given names and by characters in popular TV shows.
In Christian tradition, Mary Magdalene is one of the most recognized figures — the first to witness the Resurrection. Her name has carried spiritual significance for two millennia. Maddie strips the formality away while keeping the warmth.
Fun Facts
- The city of Magdala, where the name originates, was a thriving fishing town on the Sea of Galilee discovered by archaeologists in 2009
- The Madeleine sponge cake was named not from this name but from a French baker named Madeleine Paulmier
Maddie in Other Languages
French
Madeleine
German
Magdalena
Italian
Maddalena
Spanish
Magdalena
Famous People Named Maddie
M
Maddie Ziegler
Entertainer
2002
American dancer and actress who rose to fame on Dance Moms and appeared in Sia's Chandelier video
M
Maddie Zahm
Musician
1997
American Idol Season 21 runner-up known for her powerful vocals and emotional performances
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #837
- Total SSA Count
- 321
- Cultural Origins
- English American Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mad
Mads
Pairs Well With
Maddie Rose
Maddie Grace
Maddie Elizabeth
Maddie Claire
Maddie Jean
Maddie Louise
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Same Origin Names (English)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maddie
What does the name Maddie mean?
"high tower" (from Hebrew). Maddie is primarily a nickname for Madeleine or Madeline, which traces back to the Greek 'Magdalene,' referring to Mary Magdalene — a woman from the city of Magdala on the Sea of Galilee. The Hebrew root may mean 'tower' or 'elevated.' The French form Madeleine became fashionable in medieval Europe through religious devotion to Mary Magdalene. Used independently as Maddie since the late 20th century, it took on a cheerful, standalone identity.
What is the origin of the name Maddie?
Maddie has Hebrew, English, American, and Australian origins. In Hebrew, it means "high tower".
Is Maddie a boy or girl name?
Maddie is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Maddie?
Maddie is pronounced m-AD-ee.
How popular is the name Maddie?
Maddie is currently ranked #837 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maddie?
Common nicknames for Maddie include Mad and Mads.
What are good middle names for Maddie?
Popular middle name pairings include Maddie Rose, Maddie Grace, Maddie Elizabeth, Maddie Claire, Maddie Jean, and Maddie Louise.
What are good sibling names for Maddie?
Names that pair well with Maddie as siblings include Lily, Sophie, Jake, Caleb, Nora, Ellie, and Owen.
How many syllables does Maddie have?
Maddie has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maddie a common or rare name?
Maddie is moderately common, ranked #837 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Maddie
Maddie is a girl name with English, American, and Australian origins . The name means "high tower" in Hebrew .
Maddie is currently ranked #837 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maddie has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AD-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Maddie include Mad and Mads. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maddie include Maddison, Madden, Maddox, Maddy, Maddyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.