Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Madden is an Irish name that means 'little dog' or 'brave'. It has evolved from the Gaelic surname 'Ó Madain', reflecting a lineage and cultural heritage. The name has gained recognition through its association with notable figures, particularly in sports. It has no biblical background but carries a strong and modern image.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmædn/
Origin
Irish
Etymology
The name Madden is derived from the Gaelic surname 'Ó Madain', which means 'descendant of Madain'. The root 'Madain' itself is believed to be a diminutive of the given name 'Mathew' or 'Matthew', meaning 'gift of God'.
Meaning
little dog; brave; son of the fierce one
Language Evolution
Ó Madain, Madain, Madden
Historical Usage
The name Madden has been used as a surname in Ireland for centuries and began to gain popularity as a given name in the United States in the late 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Maddan, Maddox, Maddie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Madden is viewed as a strong and unique name, often associated with athleticism and competitiveness, partly due to its association with popular culture, including video games and sports.
Famous People
John Madden - American football coach and sportscaster, Madden NFL - popular video game series
📊 Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 538 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 41 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 981st of 24088 | 2,874 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 702nd of 23106 | 4,405 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3943rd of 35406 | 569 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2594th of 30306 | 814 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
16.83% 771st/4582 |
23.06% 1191st/5164 |
13.70% 1002nd/7313 |
11.20% 836th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
14.71% 586th/3984 |
20.86% 936th/4487 |
10.66% 727th/6822 |
10.37% 651st/6276 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
100.00% 4582nd/4582 |
70.45% 3638th/5164 |
53.82% 3936th/7313 |
55.21% 4120th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
48.22% 1921st/3984 |
65.19% 2925th/4487 |
47.99% 3274th/6822 |
50.80% 3188th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity
This map shows relative popularity across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends in the United States
This name shows strongest popularity in Utah across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Alpha generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, usage has been too falling for male in MidWest, too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West, stalled for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 981st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 702nd out of 23106 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3943rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2594th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.