Girl Name · Hebrew Origin
Magdalene
Magdalene means “Woman which was a sinner”. It is a girl's name of Hebrew origin, and it is rare in the United States today — outside the SSA top 1,000.
Origin and meaning: English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0). Popularity: US Social Security Administration.
Magdalene — a girl name from the Hebrew tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Woman which was a sinner", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Magdaline is on your shortlist, Magdalene belongs in the same conversation.
Magdalene meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Woman which was a sinner
Origin: Hebrew naming roots help connect Magdalene to related Hebrew baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Magdalene as M·A·G·D·A·L·E·N·E, with 9 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Magdalene is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Magdalene variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Magdalenea, Magdalenee, Magdaleney, Magdalen.
- Nicknames: Magda and M.
- Middle names: Pair Magdalene with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Magdalene middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Magdaline, Magdalena, Magdaleno, Magdalen, Migdalia — full picks on the sibling names for Magdalene guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Magdalene? Browse our names like Magdalene guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Magdalene
What does the name Magdalene mean?
Magdalene means "Woman which was a sinner" and is of Hebrew origin. The meaning is recorded in English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0), and in US records Magdalene is used as a girl name.
What is the origin of Magdalene?
Magdalene originates in Hebrew naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Magdalene?
Magdalene has 9 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Magdalene a boy's or girl's name?
Magdalene is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Magdalene in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Magdalene sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Magdalene?
Names that share Magdalene's sound and style include Magdaline, Magdalena, Magdaleno, Magdalen, Migdalia.
What middle names pair well with Magdalene?
Good middle-name fits for Magdalene pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Magdalene is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Magdalene is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Magdalene?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Magdalene share its rhythm without rhyming — Magdaline, Magdalena, Magdaleno all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.