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Maddison

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAD-ih-sun /ˈmæd.ɪ.sən/High

Meaning: Variant spelling of Madison, an English surname meaning 'son of Maud or Matthew,' transferred to first-name use for girls in the late 20th centuryHigh

In 30 seconds: Maddison is a double-d spelling variant of Madison — one of the most popular girls' names of the 1990s and 2000s. It carries the same friendly, modern feel with a slightly softer look.
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Origin HighEnglish
MeaningVariant spelling of Madison, an English surname meaning 'son of Maud or Matthew,' transferred to first-name use for girls in the late 20th century
U.S. rank (2025)#439 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births703 girls (0.04% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 24,051

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919852025

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

History & Origin

Maddison is an alternate spelling of Madison, itself an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Maud' or 'son of Matthew.' Surnames as first names for girls became a major trend in American naming in the late 20th century, and Madison exploded after 1984.

By the 1990s Madison ranked in the U.S. top 10 for girls. Maddison emerged as a popular variant, especially in the UK and Australia, appealing to parents who preferred the doubled consonant spelling. Both forms remain common today.

Did you know? The 1984 film Splash is widely credited with launching Madison as a girls' name in the U.S. — the mermaid character chose the name from a New York street sign. Maddison followed as a popular alternate spelling.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name — Madison — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MadisonMadisynMadyson

Nicknames

MaddieMaddiAddie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Maddison…

Madison— the standard spelling of the same name
Addison— shares the -ison surname structure and the same era of popularity
Mackenzie— another surname-turned-girls'-name from the same trend
Emerson— modern surname name with a similar three-syllable rhythm

Frequently Asked

What does Maddison mean?

Maddison is a spelling variant of Madison, an English surname meaning 'son of Maud or Matthew' that became a popular girls' first name in the 1980s.

How do you pronounce Maddison?

Maddison is pronounced MAD-ih-sun /ˈmæd.ɪ.sən/ — three syllables with stress on the first, identical to Madison.

Is Maddison different from Madison?

They are pronounced the same; Maddison is simply an alternate spelling with a doubled 'd,' popular in the UK and Australia.

Is Maddison a popular girls' name?

Yes, both Madison and Maddison have been consistently popular since the 1990s, particularly in English-speaking countries.