Meaning: Its source is Madeleine, a French name meaning "Person from Magdala."

Nickname For: Madison

Narrative: This surname evolved through an intermediate form, Madde, which was a nickname for Madeleine. Its use as a personal name probably owes a great deal to James Madison, a major contributor to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, as well as U.S. President during the War of 1812. In one of history's great circles, the name is currently in vogue as a personal name for girls.

Meaning: Its source is a Hebrew expression meaning "Person from Magdala."

Nickname For: Madeline and Madison

Popularity: The name Maddie ranked 4223rd in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name appears on the 1990 U.S. Census lists, it is used by only a small percentage of the general population.

Narrative: Magdala was a village on the Sea of Galilee, supposedly the home of the character in the Christian scriptures known as Mary of Magdala, or Mary Magdalene.

Though the town had an unsavory reputation, there is no scriptural support for Mary's identification as a courtesan who forsook her sinful ways to follow Jesus of Nazareth. However, this is her place in Christian tradition, and she stands as a symbol of the redeemable sinner, accepted and forgiven regardless of her sordid past.