Fun Facts About the Name Maddy
- 883 babies named Maddy: U.S. records list 883 babies given the name Maddy from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Maddy Mean?
Maddy is an English diminutive - a familiar short form - of names such as Madeline, Madeleine, and Madison. It has no separate root meaning apart from the longer name it represents.
As a form of Madeline or Madeleine, Maddy carries the meaning "woman from Magdala." Those names descend from Magdalene, the Greek byname of Mary Magdalene in the New Testament, which means "of Magdala." Magdala was a town on the Sea of Galilee; its name is often linked to Hebrew migdal, "tower," but the place name's own meaning is uncertain. The literal sense is geographical, not symbolic; the later idea of a "tower of strength" is an interpretation rather than the original etymology.
As a form of Madison, Maddy inherits the meaning of an English surname, usually explained as "son of Maud." Maud is a medieval form of Matilda, a Germanic name meaning "mighty in battle." Some accounts instead connect the surname's first element to a pet form of Matthew, so that derivation remains disputed.
Maddy Name History & Origins
Maddy is one of several English pet forms of longer names. The spelling with -y appears alongside Maddie.
The Madeleine line goes back to Magdalena, the Latin form of Greek Magdalene. In Christian tradition, the name is tied to Mary Magdalene, a follower of Jesus who was identified by her hometown of Magdala. The name spread through medieval Europe in forms such as French Madeleine, Italian Maddalena, and Spanish Magdalena. English developed Madeline, Madelyn, and other spellings, with Maddy as a conversational shortening.
Madison followed a different path. It originated as an English surname, a patronymic formed from a medieval personal name - often explained as Maud or Madde - plus -son. The surname later became a given name. Maddy can be used as a short form of that given name as well.
How Popular is the Name Maddy?
Maddy has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2024. Its best rank was #2,783 in 2024.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #3,812 | 39 | 0.0024% |
| 2024 | #2,783 | 61 | 0.0038% |
| 2023 | #3,063 | 54 | 0.0034% |
| 2022 | #2,980 | 56 | 0.0034% |
| 2021 | #4,206 | 34 | 0.0021% |
| 2020 | #4,505 | 30 | 0.0019% |
| 2019 | #5,911 | 21 | 0.0013% |
| 2018 | #5,265 | 25 | 0.0015% |
| 2017 | #6,702 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 2016 | #5,082 | 27 | 0.0015% |
| 2015 | #5,231 | 26 | 0.0015% |
| 2014 | #4,070 | 37 | 0.0021% |
| 2013 | #4,602 | 31 | 0.0018% |
| 2012 | #5,820 | 23 | 0.0013% |
| 2011 | #4,037 | 37 | 0.0021% |
| 2010 | #4,461 | 33 | 0.0019% |
| 2009 | #4,639 | 32 | 0.0017% |
| 2008 | #3,682 | 44 | 0.0023% |
| 2007 | #4,897 | 30 | 0.0016% |
| 2006 | #5,648 | 24 | 0.0013% |
| 2005 | #7,033 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2004 | #4,887 | 27 | 0.0015% |
| 2003 | #5,717 | 21 | 0.0011% |
| 2002 | #7,670 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 2001 | #6,503 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 2000 | #5,423 | 21 | 0.0012% |
| 1999 | #8,030 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1998 | #10,729 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1996 | #9,258 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1995 | #12,712 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1994 | #9,291 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1993 | #14,816 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1990 | #14,300 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1989 | #13,657 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1987 | #5,797 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1986 | #9,134 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1946 | #5,401 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Maddy Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have psychic power. You can carry on for others with joy. You have a receptive nature and may bear burdens for others. You are pragmatic, thorough, strong-willed, practical and stubborn at times. You are hard working, often martyr to duty. You like home and security above all. You are bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. You know what you want and why you want it.
You are always looking for an opportunity to achieve financial and emotional security. You are basically peacemaker. You understand the law of harmony and desire to balance your life with those around you. You may feel incomplete without someone to share your love, ideals, wealth or work. You can be very sensitive and could appear a bit shy and perceptive. You have developed intuition, patience and the ability to nurture others. You can achieve the state of happiness if you are willing to accept your needs in a complimentary relationship and go to create them.
✦ Maddy's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Maddy's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.