Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Madison is an English name that originated from an Old English surname meaning 'son of Maud' or 'son of Matthew'. It has evolved through various forms and gained popularity as a given name in the United States during the late 20th century. The name is modern and trendy, often associated with positive traits, and has no direct biblical relevance.
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmædɪsən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Madison is derived from a surname which originally meant 'son of Maud' or 'son of Matthew'. The name Maud itself is of Germanic origin, derived from the name Mathilda, meaning 'mighty in battle'.
Meaning
son of Maud, son of Matthew
Language Evolution
Maud, Matthew, Madison (surname), Madison (given name)
Historical Usage
Madison gained popularity as a given name in the United States in the late 20th century, particularly following the rise of the surname as a first name trend.
Variants & Derivatives
Maddie, Madi, Addison
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Madison is perceived as a modern and trendy name, often associated with a sense of sophistication and charm.
Famous People
Madison Beer (singer), Madison Bumgarner (baseball player), Madison Keys (tennis player)
📊 Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Name Visualizations
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 22,292 peak births in 2001
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Nevada
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Alternative Spellings & Similar Sounds (8 Variations)
Explore names that share identical pronunciation with different spellings. These variations offer alternative options for parents seeking unique yet familiar-sounding choices. This curated collection includes 8 carefully selected variations that maintain the same phonetic sound while providing distinct spelling options.
Why consider alternative spellings? Different spellings can offer unique cultural significance or personal preference while maintaining the familiar sound. This collection covers various spelling patterns, helping you find variations that match your preferences.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 793rd of 7545 | 1,143 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 991st of 6773 | 778 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1178th of 7552 | 785 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1714th of 10718 | 434 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 865th of 16616 | 2,126 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1356th of 24088 | 1,758 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3074th of 23106 | 460 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 14020th of 19264 | 17 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 111th of 27321 | 44,671 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2nd of 35406 | 281,263 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 17th of 30306 | 88,857 |
Regional Popularity by Generation - Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
83.05% 1176th/1416 |
- |
25.99% 615th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
41.69% 981st/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
58.24% 1297th/2227 |
67.94% 1651st/2430 |
40.06% 1143rd/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
53.22% 1563rd/2937 |
- |
55.91% 1967th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
27.76% 1023rd/3685 |
30.44% 1362nd/4475 |
14.11% 733rd/5194 |
16.15% 1020th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
36.95% 1693rd/4582 |
27.87% 1439th/5164 |
15.53% 1136th/7313 |
27.40% 2045th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- |
56.54% 2537th/4487 |
69.00% 4707th/6822 |
34.97% 2195th/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) |
2.90% 107th/3685 |
4.04% 181st/4475 |
1.79% 93rd/5194 |
1.71% 108th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
0.07% 3rd/4582 |
0.08% 4th/5164 |
0.03% 2nd/7313 |
0.09% 7th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
0.63% 25th/3984 |
0.25% 11th/4487 |
0.22% 15th/6822 |
0.43% 27th/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 Nevada across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is declining in usage, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. From 2020-2022, usage has been stalled for male in MidWest, too rising for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, too rising for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too rising for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. Across generations, popularity patterns vary significantly: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 793rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 991st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1178th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1714th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 865th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1356th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3074th out of 23106 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 14020th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 111th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2nd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 17th out of 30306 names. Explore how this name has evolved through American history with comprehensive regional and generational analysis.