"son of Mads (Matthew)"
Origin: Danish
Language: Danish
Madsen
Pronunciation: [ m-ADS-uhn ]
Does Madsen flow with your last name?
A cool Scandinavian surname turned distinctive first name
Danish
Norwegian
Scandinavian
American
Strong
Modern
Unique
Bold
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Madsen
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Madsen
1 shorthand option for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"gift of God (via Matthew)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Norwegian
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Madsen
See all →What the Madsen report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Madsen the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Madsen
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Madsen head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Madsen actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Madsen
Madsen is a Danish and Norwegian patronymic surname meaning son of Mads, where Mads is the Scandinavian form of Matthew. Matthew comes from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of God. As a first name, Madsen follows the modern trend of using Scandinavian surnames as given names, bringing Nordic heritage to the forefront.
Madsen has been gaining traction as a first name in the United States alongside other Scandinavian-origin surname-names like Soren, Lars, and Axel. The rising popularity of Nordic culture, Norse mythology, and Scandinavian design has made names like Madsen appealing to parents seeking distinctive but accessible names.
In Denmark and Norway, Madsen is one of the most common surnames, carried by thousands of families. Using it as a first name in America represents the broader cultural embrace of Scandinavian aesthetics and naming traditions, part of the larger trend of Nordic cool in Western culture.
Historical Record
Madsen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1994.
Over 152 babies have been named Madsen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Madsen is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,685 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Madsen is one of the most common surnames in Denmark, used by approximately 65,000 Danes
- The Mads nickname is extremely popular in Denmark as a standalone name
- Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen has helped bring Nordic male names to international recognition
Madsen in Other Languages
Danish
Madsen
English
Madsen
Swedish
Mattson
Norwegian
Madsen
Popularity Over Time
#5,685
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Madsen
M
Mads Mikkelsen
Actor
1965
Danish actor known for Hannibal, Casino Royale, and Doctor Strange, widely regarded as Denmark`s biggest international s...
Danish actor known for Hannibal, Casino Royale, and Doctor Strange, widely regarded as Denmark`s biggest international star
M
Michael Madsen
Actor
1957
American actor known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino films including Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Zebediah
Boy
"Yahweh has bestowed"
#5,750
Cort
Boy
"short; courtly"
#5,772
Yosohn
Boy
"healer (from Jason root)"
#5,823
Jaevion
Boy
"modern coined name, variant of Javion"
#5,863
Dashon
Boy
"God is gracious (via Sean)"
#5,624
Compare Madsen with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,685
- Total SSA Count
- 16
- Cultural Origins
- Danish Norwegian Scandinavian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mads
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Madsen
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Madsen fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Madsen is also used as a girl name, ranked #46476.
View Madsen as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Madsen →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Madsen with...
Same Origin Names (Danish)
See all Danish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Madsen
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Madsen and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Madsen sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Zebediah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"Yahweh has bestowed"
#5,750 in US
Cort
Boy
Old Norse origin
"short; courtly"
#5,772 in US
Yosohn
Boy
Greek origin
"healer (from Jason root)"
#5,823 in US
Jaevion
Boy
Modern American origin
"modern coined name, variant of Javion"
#5,863 in US
Dashon
Boy
Irish/American origin
"God is gracious (via Sean)"
#5,624 in US
Tramaine
Boy
Cornish/Celtic origin
"settlement on the rock, homestead"
#5,882 in US
Taevon
Boy
Modern American origin
"modern creative name; possibly from C..."
#5,738 in US
Jeremyah
Boy
Hebrew Yirmeyahu origin
"God will uplift, God will exalt"
#5,512 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Madsen's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Madsen
What does the name Madsen mean?
"son of Mads (Matthew)" (from Danish). "gift of God (via Matthew)" (from Hebrew). Madsen is a Danish and Norwegian patronymic surname meaning son of Mads, where Mads is the Scandinavian form of Matthew. Matthew comes from the Hebrew Mattityahu, meaning gift of God. As a first name, Madsen follows the modern trend of using Scandinavian surnames as given names, bringing Nordic heritage to the forefront.
What is the origin of the name Madsen?
Madsen has Danish, Hebrew, Norwegian, Scandinavian, and American origins. In Danish, it means "son of Mads (Matthew)". In Hebrew, it means "gift of God (via Matthew)".
Is Madsen a boy or girl name?
Madsen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #5685. As a girl name, it is ranked #46476. Madsen is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Madsen?
Madsen is pronounced m-ADS-uhn.
How popular is the name Madsen?
Madsen is currently ranked #5685 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Madsen?
Common nicknames for Madsen include Mads.
What are good middle names for Madsen?
Popular middle name pairings include Madsen James, Madsen Cole, Madsen Finn, Madsen Erik, Madsen Lars, Madsen Kai, and Madsen Reed.
What are good sibling names for Madsen?
Names that pair well with Madsen as siblings include Lars, Soren, Axel, Ingrid, Freya, Astrid, and Bjorn.
How many syllables does Madsen have?
Madsen has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Madsen a common or rare name?
Madsen is an uncommon name, ranked #5685 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Madsen?
Are there other spellings for Madsen?
Related spellings include Mads.
About the Name Madsen
Madsen is a boy name with Danish, Norwegian, Scandinavian, and American origins . The name means "son of Mads (Matthew)" in Danish .
Is Madsen a boy or girl name? Madsen is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #5,685 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #46,476. Madsen is more commonly used as a boy name.
Madsen is currently ranked #5,685 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Madsen has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-ADS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Madsen include Mads. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Madsen include Mads . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Danish Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More boy names like Madsen
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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