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Home › Baby Names Directory › Madigan

Madigan

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAD-ih-gun /ˈmæd.ɪ.ɡən/Medium

Meaning: From the Irish surname Madigan (O Madagain), a diminutive tied to 'madra' ('dog'), so read as 'little dog' or 'descendant of Madadhan.' Carried into first-name use; a surname-style pick.Low

In 30 seconds: A spirited Irish surname-name: Madigan means 'little dog' or 'descendant of Madadhan' (said 'MAD-ih-gun'). Surname-style and rare.
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Origin MediumIrish
MeaningFrom the Irish surname Madigan (O Madagain), a diminutive tied to 'madra' ('dog'), so read as 'little dog' or 'descendant of Madadhan.' Carried into first-name use; a surname-style pick.
U.S. rank (2024)#10728 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2002
Total births (all-time)≈ 964

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200219922024

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Madigan comes from the Irish surname O Madagain, a diminutive tied to 'madra' ('dog') and read as 'little dog' or 'descendant of Madadhan.' As a first name it is a modern surname-style pick, rare and spirited (said 'MAD-ih-gun').

For girls it appears only rarely in U.S. records. Rare, surname-style, and lively.

Did you know? Madigan is an Irish surname, a diminutive linked to 'madra' ('dog'), giving the affectionate sense 'little dog.' It reads today as a lively surname-style first name, rare for girls, which we note (said 'MAD-ih-gun').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Madigan — Irish surname 'little dog'; surname-style

Variations

MadaganMadeganMadigen

Nicknames

MaddieGan

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Madigan…

Madison— a like Mad- surname name
Finnegan— a like Irish -gan surname
Mallory— a like modern surname-style girls' pick
Morrigan— shares Madigan's Irish roots
Callahan— a fellow Irish choice

Explore names like Madigan

By themeirishsurnamespiriteduncommon

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Madigan mean?

Madigan is an Irish surname meaning 'little dog' or 'descendant of Madadhan,' now used as a first name.

How do you pronounce Madigan?

It's said MAD-ih-gun /ˈmæd.ɪ.ɡən/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Madigan a boy or girl name?

Madigan is a surname used for both; here it is a girl's name.

How popular is Madigan?

Madigan is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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