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Maddox

♂ Boy

Pronounced MAD-oks /ˈmæd.ɒks/High

Meaning: Son of Madoc; Madoc means 'fortunate' or 'good'High

In 30 seconds: A strong Welsh surname meaning 'son of Madoc (the fortunate one).' It leaped onto the radar in 2003 when Angelina Jolie named her son Maddox.
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Origin HighWelsh
MeaningSon of Madoc; Madoc means 'fortunate' or 'good'
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 29,914

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201719952017

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

History & Origin

Maddox is an anglicization of the Welsh patronymic surname Madog or Madawg, from the Welsh personal name Madog, believed to mean 'fortunate' or 'good.' The legendary Welsh prince Madog ab Owain Gwynedd is said in folklore to have sailed to the Americas in the 12th century. Maddox as a surname has been used in Wales and England for centuries.

As a given name, Maddox was virtually unused until 2003, when it gained sudden celebrity exposure. It has since established itself as a genuinely popular first name with a rugged, energetic feel. Its -x ending places it alongside other modern favorites such as Phoenix, Jax, and Knox.

Did you know? Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their adopted son Maddox in 2003, and the name jumped from obscurity to the U.S. top 500 almost immediately afterward.

Variations

MadoxMaddocks

Nicknames

MadMaddyDox

Famous Bearers

  • ★Maddox Jolie-Pitt (b. 2001)
    Son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, whose adoption brought the name to wide attention.

If you like Maddox…

Knox— sharp single-syllable surname with the same strong consonant energy
Jaxon— modern surname-style name with a punchy feel
Beckett— literary English surname turned fashionable first name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Maddox mean?

Maddox is a Welsh surname meaning 'son of Madoc,' and Madoc means 'fortunate' or 'good.'

How do you pronounce Maddox?

It's pronounced MAD-oks (/ˈmæd.ɒks/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Maddox a boy or girl name?

Maddox is used predominantly as a boy's name.

How popular is Maddox?

Maddox entered the U.S. top 500 in 2003 and has since climbed into the top 200 boys' names.