"son of Matthew, gift of God"
Origin: English
Language: English
Maddison
Pronunciation: [ m-AD-ihs-uhn ]
Girl Name
#487 Most Popular
Steady
3 Syllables
A chart-topping modern classic with mermaid origins
American
English
Australian
Modern
Trendy
Playful
Bold
Meaning & Origin
"son of Maud, mighty in battle"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
Things to Know About This Name
- Associated with the mermaid film Splash (1984) which popularized Madison for girls
The Story of Maddison
Maddison is an alternate spelling of Madison, which began as an English surname meaning 'son of Maud or Matthew.' The root 'Maud' is itself a Germanic name meaning 'mighty in battle.' As a surname, Madison was carried to America by English settlers. Its transformation into a first name for girls was dramatically accelerated by the 1984 film Splash, in which a mermaid chooses the name Madison from a Manhattan street sign.
The Maddison spelling emerged as parents sought to personalize the hugely popular Madison. Madison dominated US baby name charts from the late 1990s through the 2010s, reaching #2 in 2001. The alternative spellings like Maddison and Madisyn account for a significant share of the total.
Madison as a girl's name is considered a distinctly American phenomenon. In Australia and the UK, Maddison has also found popularity. The name reflects the late 20th-century trend of repurposing surnames and masculine names for girls.
Fun Facts
- The name Madison for girls was essentially invented by the 1984 Splash film — it barely existed as a girl's name before then
- President James Madison's surname, not the given name, popularized this as an American family name
Maddison in Other Languages
French
Madison
German
Madison
Spanish
Madison
Japanese
マディソン
Portuguese
Madison
Famous People Named Maddison
M
Madison Beer
Musician
2000
American pop singer and actress who gained fame after Justin Bieber shared her YouTube cover
M
Madison Chock
Athlete
1992
American ice dancer and multiple US national champion figure skater
M
Madison Fictional
Other
The mermaid protagonist of the 1984 film Splash, played by Daryl Hannah, who chose the name from a street sign
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #487
- Total SSA Count
- 627
- Cultural Origins
- American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Maddie
Madds
Madi
Pairs Well With
Maddison Grace
Maddison Rose
Maddison Claire
Maddison Lynn
Maddison Faith
Maddison Paige
Maddison Brooke
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Maddison is also used as a boy name, ranked #23930.
View Maddison as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maddison
What does the name Maddison mean?
"son of Matthew, gift of God" (from English). "son of Maud, mighty in battle" (from Germanic). Maddison is an alternate spelling of Madison, which began as an English surname meaning 'son of Maud or Matthew.' The root 'Maud' is itself a Germanic name meaning 'mighty in battle.' As a surname, Madison was carried to America by English settlers. Its transformation into a first name for girls was dramatically accelerated by the 1984 film Splash, in which a mermaid chooses the name Madison from a Manhattan street sign.
What is the origin of the name Maddison?
Maddison has English, Germanic, American, and Australian origins. In English, it means "son of Matthew, gift of God". In Germanic, it means "son of Maud, mighty in battle".
Is Maddison a boy or girl name?
Maddison is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #487. As a boy name, it is ranked #23930. Maddison is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Maddison?
Maddison is pronounced m-AD-ihs-uhn.
How popular is the name Maddison?
Maddison is currently ranked #487 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maddison?
Common nicknames for Maddison include Maddie, Madds, and Madi.
What are good middle names for Maddison?
Popular middle name pairings include Maddison Grace, Maddison Rose, Maddison Claire, Maddison Lynn, Maddison Faith, Maddison Paige, and Maddison Brooke.
What are good sibling names for Maddison?
Names that pair well with Maddison as siblings include Aiden, Brooklyn, Jayden, Taylor, Logan, Emma, and Riley.
How many syllables does Maddison have?
Maddison has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Maddison a common or rare name?
Maddison is a popular name, ranked #487 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Maddison
Maddison is a girl name with American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "son of Matthew, gift of God" in English .
Is Maddison a boy or girl name? Maddison is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #487 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #23,930. Maddison is more commonly used as a girl name.
Maddison is currently ranked #487 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maddison has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-AD-ihs-uhn, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Maddison include Maddie, Madds, and Madi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maddison include Maddie, Madden, Maddox, Maddy, Maddyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.