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Maddie

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAD-ee /ˈmæd.iː/High

Meaning: Short form of Madeline (from Greek Magdalene: of Magdala) or Madison (from Old English: son of Matthew, or son of Maud); Maddie is the affectionate -ie suffix diminutive used independently as a given nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Maddie is the cheerful diminutive of Madeline or Madison, carrying the Greek meaning of Magdala (a place name on the Sea of Galilee) or the Germanic might and battle elements, used independently as a warm, friendly girls name across the English-speaking world.
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Origin HighGermanic, Hebrew
MeaningShort form of Madeline (from Greek Magdalene: of Magdala) or Madison (from Old English: son of Matthew, or son of Maud); Maddie is the affectionate -ie suffix diminutive used independently as a given name
U.S. rank (2025)#927 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births282 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,248

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202318932025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Maddie is a diminutive used as a standalone name, derived from either Madeline (from Greek Magdalene, meaning woman from Magdala — a village on the Sea of Galilee where Mary Magdalene was from) or Madison (from an English surname meaning son of Maud or son of Matthew). Both parent names lead to Maddie as an affectionate short form. The -ie diminutive suffix is characteristic of English and Scottish naming traditions.

In the 21st century Maddie is given both as a standalone name and as a nickname for Madeline, Madison, Madelyn, and similar names. It benefits from the enormous popularity of Madison and Madeline in the 1990s and 2000s, which created an entire generation of girls going by Maddie. The standalone Maddie spelling has appeared in U.S. birth records as an independent name. Actress Maddie Ziegler (born 2002), known from Dance Moms, has been a high-profile bearer who kept the name in cultural conversation.

Did you know? Mary Magdalene — the source of Madeline and thus Maddie — is named for the town of Magdala on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee; in 2009 Israeli archaeologists excavating near the modern town discovered a 2,000-year-old synagogue that would have existed during Jesus's lifetime, connecting Maddie's etymological root to a living archaeological site.
Overall data confidence 87%
Behind the Name — Madeline — Greek root and diminutive usage

Variations

MaddyMadiMadisonMadeline

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Maddie Ziegler (2002–present)
    American dancer, actress, and model who rose to fame on Dance Moms and as a performer in several of singer Sia's music videos.

If you like Maddie…

Millie— two-syllable -ie ending diminutive girls name in the same cheerful, friendly tradition
Hattie— two-syllable -ie ending girls diminutive with the same warm, vintage American feel
Gracie— two-syllable -ie ending diminutive name with comparable charm and American warmth
Sadie— two-syllable -ie ending girls name with the same affectionate, fresh American character

Frequently Asked

What does the name Maddie mean?

Maddie is a diminutive of Madeline (from Magdalene, meaning woman from Magdala) or Madison; it carries meanings of a biblical place name or Germanic might.

How do you pronounce Maddie?

It is said MAD-ee — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Maddie a full name or a nickname?

Maddie is used both as a standalone given name and as a nickname for Madeline, Madison, Madelyn, and similar names.

Is Maddie popular?

Yes, Maddie is very popular both as a nickname (for the numerous Madelines and Madisons) and as an independent name.