"son of Matthew, gift of God"
Origin: English surname
Language: English
Madisen
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The mermaid name that became a generation-defining classic
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English
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Meaning & Origin
"son of Maud, mighty in battle"
Origin: English
Language: English
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The Story of Madisen
Madisen is a spelling variant of Madison, which originated as an English surname meaning son of Maud or son of Matthew, with Matthew derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu meaning gift of Yahweh. The name transitioned from a male surname to a popular female first name in the United States following the 1984 film Splash, in which a mermaid chose Madison as her name after seeing a New York City street sign.
Madison exploded in popularity after the 1984 film Splash, becoming a top-5 girls name in the US by the early 2000s. The alternative spelling Madisen offers parents the same sound with a slightly more distinctive look. The name peaked around 2001-2011 and has been gradually declining as it became associated with a specific generational cohort.
Madison holds a unique place in American naming history as one of the most successful surname-to-first-name transitions ever. The name also honors James Madison, the fourth US President and co-author of the Constitution. Despite its surname origins, Madison has become thoroughly feminine in American culture.
Historical Record
Madisen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1986.
Over 5,052 babies have been named Madisen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Madisen is past its peak , currently ranked #6,113 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The name Madison for girls was essentially invented by the 1984 film Splash starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah
- Madison was the #1 girls name in the US from 2001-2002
- James Madison the 4th President was born 1751 and co-authored the Federalist Papers
Madisen in Other Languages
French
Madison
German
Madison
English
Madison
Italian
Madison
Spanish
Madison
Popularity Over Time
#6,113
Current Rank
Peaked 2000
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Madisen
M
Madison Beer
Musician
2000
American singer and social media personality who gained fame as a teenager
M
Madison Bumgarner
Athlete
1989
American professional baseball pitcher, World Series MVP in 2014
M
Madison Fictional
Other
Mermaid protagonist of the 1984 film Splash who popularized the name Madison for girls by picking it from a New York str...
Mermaid protagonist of the 1984 film Splash who popularized the name Madison for girls by picking it from a New York street sign
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Compare Madisen with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #6,113
- Total SSA Count
- 20
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Maddie
Madi
Maddy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, 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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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 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
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Madisen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Madisen
Phonetic neighbors that share Madisen's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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"gleaming one"
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Caraline
Girl
English (influenced by carol) origin
"joy, song of happiness"
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Mianna
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American blend of Mia + Anna origin
"beloved, gracious"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Madisen
What does the name Madisen mean?
"son of Matthew, gift of God" (from English surname). "son of Maud, mighty in battle" (from English). Madisen is a spelling variant of Madison, which originated as an English surname meaning son of Maud or son of Matthew, with Matthew derived from the Hebrew Mattityahu meaning gift of Yahweh. The name transitioned from a male surname to a popular female first name in the United States following the 1984 film Splash, in which a mermaid chose Madison as her name after seeing a New York City street sign.
What is the origin of the name Madisen?
Madisen has English surname, English, and American origins. In English surname, it means "son of Matthew, gift of God". In English, it means "son of Maud, mighty in battle".
Is Madisen a boy or girl name?
Madisen is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Madisen?
Madisen is currently ranked #6113 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Madisen?
Common nicknames for Madisen include Maddie, Madi, and Maddy.
What are good middle names for Madisen?
Popular middle name pairings include Madisen Grace, Madisen Rose, Madisen Claire, Madisen Paige, Madisen Hope, Madisen Faith, and Madisen Brooke.
What are good sibling names for Madisen?
Names that pair well with Madisen as siblings include Addison, Jackson, Avery, Peyton, Riley, Logan, and Skylar.
How many syllables does Madisen have?
Madisen has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Madisen a common or rare name?
Madisen is an uncommon name, ranked #6113 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Madisen?
About the Name Madisen
Madisen is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "son of Matthew, gift of God" in English surname .
Madisen is currently ranked #6,113 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Madisen has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Madisen include Maddie, Madi, and Maddy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Madisen include Madison, Madilyn, Madilynn, Madisson, Madisyn . 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