Madison Overview
- Meaning: The name Madison tends to mean “son of Matthew.”
- Gender: Madison is a unisex name but it is typically given to girls.
- Origin: The name Madison originated as an English surname before evolving into a given name. It might have come from Mathieson, which also means “son of Matthew.”
- Pronunciation: You pronounce the name Madison as “MAD-uh-sin,” emphasizing the first syllable slightly.
- Popularity: In 2001, Madison was the second most popular name for girls born in the United States before bumping down to seventh place in 2009. It ranked 29th in 2021.
- Nicknames: Dee-Dee, Em, Emmy, Maddy, Mads, Madz, Madzz, Sonny, Sun.
- Variations: Maddison, Maddisyn, Madisyn, Madison, Madisson, Maddyson, Madyson.
- Namesakes: Madison Beer (American singer and actress), Madison Pettis (American child actress), Maddie Zeigler (American dancer).
What Does Madison Mean?
The name Madison usually means “the son of Matthew,” “son of Maud,” or “son of Maddy,” depending on the name’s spelling.
What Is the Origin of the Name Madison?
Madison is both a boy’s and girl’s name, first coming into popularity as an English surname. It emerged as a variation of Mathieson, a surname that has the same meaning as Madison (1).
Another variation, Maddison, means “son of Maddy.”
If you want to go back even further, Madison might derive from Maud, a Germanic-Scandinavian form of the name Mathilde (2). Some have even interpreted the name to mean “son of a mighty warrior.”
How Popular Is the Name Madison?
The name Madison came into prominence in the United States after the release of the film Splash in 1984. In that film, one of the main characters, a mermaid, chooses Madison as her human name as she walks down Madison Street in New York City.
In 2001, the name was the second most popular name for girls. Madison ranked 29th for girls born in 2021. It was in the top 1,000 names for boys until 1952, but it has since become a rarity. (3).
How Do I Pronounce Madison?
You pronounce the name Madison as “MAD-uh-sin,” emphasizing the first syllable.
Is Madison a Boy or Girl Name?
Although people often use Madison as a girl’s name, it is a long-standing unisex choice.
Variations of Madison
Madison by itself is a lovely name, but some variations on the name are just as pretty. These might include:
- Maddison (English)
- Maddisyn (English)
- Madisyn (English)
- Madison (English)
- Madisson (English)
- Maddyson (English)
- Madyson (English)
Nicknames for Madison
Madison can produce some of the coolest and cutest nicknames for your boy or girl. See what you like from among the following:
- Dee-Dee
- Em
- Emmy
- Maddy
- Mads
- Madz
- Madzz
- Sonny
- Sun
Similar Names to Madison
Madison is one of those names where you think of it, and a dozen other beautiful names come to mind. If you are on the fence about the name Madison, here are a few others to think about:
- Addie
- Addison
- Brooklyn
- Kennedy
- Indiana
- Mackenzie
- Madeline
- Madelyn
- Madigan
- Maisie
- Mary
- Matilda
- Maud
Middle Names for Madison
Picking a middle name for a baby is like deciding which side dish will go with the main course. Some Interesting middle names for Madison might include:
- Ava
- Belle
- Claire
- Eve
- Faye
- Grace
- Hope
- Isabel
- Jade
- June
- Kate
- Katherine
- Lexi
- Lily
- Liv
- Marie
- Maureen
- Paige
- Renee
Sibling Names for Madison
The name Madison sounds like a member of a fantastic group, or duo, depending on the family. Either way, here are some fun names perfect for a sibling to Madison:
For a Brother:
- Aaron
- Austin
- Elliot
- Christopher
- Jacob
- Mason
- Noah
- Robert
- Samuel
- Thomas
For a Sister:
- Amelia
- Charlotte
- Delilah
- Hannah
- Jennifer
- Kendall
- Morgan
- Olivia
- Payton
- Taylor
Famous People Named Madison
Madison is an objectively lovely name, so it is no surprise that several famous people worldwide share the name, either as a first or last name. Some of the most famous people named Madison include:
- Madison Beer: American singer and actress.
- Madison Bumgarner: American baseball player.
- Madison Davenport: American actress and singer.
- Madison de la Garza: American actress and sister of Demi Lovato.
- Madison Pettis: American child actress.
- Madison (“Maddie”) Zeigler: American dancer.
Madison in Popular Culture
Just as we have several famous Madisons in real life, there are a few Madisons who have made a name for themselves in popular culture. Some of the most significant include:
- Madison: Mermaid played by Daryl Hannah in the 1984 film “Splash.”
- Madison Clark: Character in the TV series “Fear the Walking Dead.”
- Madison James: Character played by Sarah Joy Brown on the soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”
- Madison McCarthy: Character portrayed by Laura Dreyfuss on the American comedy-drama series “Glee.”
- Madison Rocca: the Blue Ranger, portrayed by Melanie Vallejo in the American television series “Power Rangers Mystic Force.”
- Madison Rooney: a twin teenage character played by Dove Cameron on the Disney Channel original series “Liv and Maddie.”
- Madison Sinclair: Character portrayed by Amanda Noret in the American mystery television series “Veronica Mars.”
Madison FAQs
You might have a good idea about the name Madison by now, but we can always learn a little more.
What Is the Spiritual Meaning of Madison?
Some people see Madison’s meaning of “son of Matthew,” and they might interpret Matthew as the disciple from the Bible. By extension, since the name Matthew means “gift from God” and Madison means “son of Matthew,” you can interpret Madison to mean “gift from God” as well.
What Does Madison Mean in Greek?
In Greek, the name Madison could derive from the medieval Greek and French name Madeleine, which means “woman from Magdala.”
What Does the Name Madison Mean for Personality?
Often, people associate the name Madison with a big personality. For example, a person named Madison might be an expressive and creative person with a talent for painting or writing. They might also love to get to know people and hear stories, which sometimes leads to a career in journalism or blogging.
