Looking for a given name as storied as Isabella, as elaborate as Samantha, and yet not nearly as common?
Thanks to Lauren for suggesting our Baby Name of the Day: Magdalena.
Magdalena sounds like a foreign variant of Margaret, but it isn’t so. Instead, Magdalena comes from Mary Magdalene, a reference to Magdala – the village of her birth. Magdala is derived from a word meaning tower, in both Hebrew and Aramaic.
All of this makes Magdalena a religiously significant choice. Even if you skipped that day in Sunday School, you probably know that Mary Magdalene kept company around with Jesus. He saved her, and she was steadfast and loyal through his death, remaining at his tomb to be the first one to witness his resurrection. She’s a major New Testament figure, and is considered a saint.
She’s also – at least by some – characterized as a prostitute. The association is a long one, though there’s no historical basis. Beginning in the eighteenth century, reformers established Magadelene asylums for fallen women. Depictions in popular culture reinforce the idea. But if Delilah can overcome her Biblical bad girl baggage, why not Magdalena? Like Delilah, Magdalena has been re-examined and even re-invented as feminist figure by some. The Da Vinci Code made her Jesus’ wife.
As it happens, parents are naming their daughters after her in droves. The saint was wildly popular in Middle Ages, and in England the name Magdalen became Madlin – or Madeline.
But Magdalena has never been common in English, and she’s truly fading in recent decades. The name ranked #981 in 2009, and left the rankings in 2010.
Still, there are a bunch of intriguing references:
- German nobles used the name for their daughters in the sixteenth century;
- Christian missionaries were active in seventeenth century Japan. The future Saint Magdalene of Nagasaki met her death during a wave of persecutions in 1634. I’m not certain that was her birth name, but her parents were also observant Christians, so it is possible;
- Italian soprano Magda Olivero was born Maria Maddalena;
- Hollywood icon Marlene Dietrich was born Mary Magdalena;
- Zsa Zsa and Eva Gabor have a big sister called Magda;
- In the 1983 James Bond adventure Octopussy, Magda is a henchman of the provocatively named jewel smuggler;
- Supergroup A Perfect Circle included a song called “Magdalena” on their first album, Mer de Noms in 2000. “Magdalena” was not released as a single, but the album was a hit, and at least a few parents have referenced the song as a reason for considering the name;
- From Frank Zappa to Brandon Flowers, plenty of other musicians have recorded songs by the name;
- Speaking of music, a short-lived musical titled Magdalena: A Musical Adventure debuted on Broadway in 1948, and is occasionally revived.
There are plenty of place names, too, like the Magdalena River in Colombia. There’s also Magdalene College and Cambridge and Magdalen College at Oxford, both named after the saint.
With a history of use from Eastern Europe to South America, there’s something globe-trotting about Magdalena. Her nicknames range from the quirky cool Magda to less dramatic options like Maddie, Maggie, and Lena.
If you’re looking for an elaborate name that will fit in with popular choices while standing out, Magdalena is a great option.
Magdalena is really beautiful, but my heart belongs to Maddalena. Maddalena just flows so wonderfully. My only concern is she’d be lost in a sea of Madeleines/Madelyns/Madelines
Oh I do LOVE Maddalena. You’re right, though, about the sea of Maddies.
Magdalena is a great name, beautiful and versatile with lots of nicknames. I’d personally use her mainly to get to Lena which DH likes but I’m not completely sold on as a full name. I shudder at the thought that she or others would prefer nn Maggie or Maddie. That hadn’t occured to me before…Both of the Magdalenas I know (a Cuban woman in her 60s and a Chaldean woman in her 60s) go by Magda. However, in Arabic the G in Magdalena is soft and I think that’s kind of pretty.
What holds me back from Magdalena is the response I’ve gotten from friends and family. Most people have told me that she’s too much of a Christian name for our Muslim child to wear. I guess I see that, but I love the name anyway.
I love Magdalena! It’s gorgeous. And, Maggie is a great nickname. Magda is fun, too, as is Lena. Very versatile and striking name!
As for a legitimate Margaret variation, my favorite is probably Margaretta. I know one who goes by Rhetta. It’s like zesty Margarita without reminding me of food and libations!
Margaretta is gorgeous! I do love Marguerite, too, but it feels like a lot of name.
My mom’s nn, believe it or not, is actually Marguerite!
I love the name Magdalena. I knew in college who went by Magda, as someone mentioned above.
It didn’t have any traction with either of my husbands, but now that I’ve moved on to a boyfriend who wants kids soon (and with me, despite my age)… I might have to throw it at him and see if it sticks.
I love Magdalena! It’s too bad, though, because my husband doesn’t. I would love to hear it used more often.
Magdalena is soooo pretty! I would have no worries about considering that name for a future daughter. I really like using Lena as a nickname.
OOO, Magdalena is so beautiful, I could stand to hear a few more little ones running around with this name. I do think its a little too religious for our family so it wouldnt make it on our lists, but I would definitely advocate it for those who are.. Go for it Lauren!!!
I would also like to add that I really like Delilah and dont feel its too religious, while it is not on our short list.. it did make it into conversation.. maybe it has a lot to do with The Plain White Tees.. Maybe we need to write to them and tell them to make a song about Magdelena!
I love Lena, as a nod to my 3 Aunt Helens and *did* consider Magdalena for the gal who is Josephine, but that beginning Mag- sound is what ended up killing it for me. I’ve said it before, Mag is such a hard sound, very masculine to me. I’d name a boy Magnus and nickname him Maggie/Mags long before I’ll use any Mag- name on a girl. Magdalena is a gorgeous, gorgeous name, but not one I’d ever use.
Thanks for the profile! I’m not sure if I’m the Lauren who posed it, but Magdalena is definitely my number one right now. I like both the Biblical and feminist connotations and as a way to honor my mom, Margaret, without re-using the name.
When I was younger I had a friend name Magdalene who went by Magda; I always thought her nickname was really cool.