Menu

Madison

Heart
English
"son of Matthew"

Madison Origin and Meaning

The name Madison is a girl's name of English origin meaning "son of Matthew".

Madison originated as an English surname, a variant of Mathieson, meaning "son of Matthew." It is occasionally translated as "son of Maud," as Maddy was historically a nickname for Maud. It was introduced as a feminine given name in the 1984 movie Splash, in which the main character takes her name from New York’s Madison Avenue street sign.

Since we wrote a book called Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana, encouraging parents to move beyond overused names, it's no secret what we think of this trendy surname name, inspired by a mermaid named Madison in the eighties movie Splash.

Though Madison has long ago lost any popularity for boys, it's the most successful of the surname-y, place name-y English names for girls that have risen through the ranks over the past few decades, names like London and Paris, Camden and Jordan that have climbed to prominence.

Some parents like Madison for its upscale feel while others want a fresh way to get to the nickname Maddy. Still others have moved on to similar choices Addison and Madelyn. While those names may continue to rise, Madison is definitely on a downward trend, though it remains one of the most popular girls' names starting with M.

# 34 in the US

Madison Rank in US Top 1000

# 467 on Nameberry

Madison Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Madison Popularity

20 Names Similar to Madison

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Madison.

Famous People Named Madison

  • Madison Nicole "Maddie" ZieglerAmerican actress and dancer on TV's "Dance Moms".
  • Madison Elle BeerAmerican singer.
  • Madison Michelle PettisAmerican actress.
  • Madison Rose De La GarzaAmerican actress.
  • Madison CarabelloAmerican actress; twin of Miranda Carabello.
  • Madison HubbellAmerican ice dancer.
  • Madison ChockAmerican ice dancer.
  • Madison McLaughlinAmerican actress.
  • Madison Raynering name of Ashley Nichole Cabot, American pro wrestler.
  • Madison HuAmerican actress.
  • Madison BrengleAmerican tennis player.
  • Madison KeysAmerican tennis player.
  • Madison Danielle DavenportAmerican actress.
  • Madison McReynoldsAmerican actress.
  • (Jessica) Madison Wright MorrisAmerican actress
  • Madison LintzAmerican actress
  • Madison WilsonAustralian swimmer.
  • Madison Taylor KocianAmerican gymnast.
  • Madison BaileyAmerican actress
  • Madison Justicesister of American actress Victoria Justice.
  • Madison Cross (b. 1992)American singer; daughter of singer Christopher Cross.
  • Madison Clapp (b. 1996)daughter of actor/TV personality Johnny Knoxville.
  • Madison "Maddie" Brown (b. 1997)daughter of reality TV's Kody & Jenelle Brown ("Sister Wives").
  • Madison Alani Anoa'i (b. 2003)daughter of wrestler Rosey.
  • Madison Elizabeth McMahon (b. 2000)daughter of actor Julian McMahon and model Brooke Burns.
  • Madison Mychal Quick (b. 2010)daughter of ice hockey player Jonathan Quick.
  • Madison Brown Belafonte (b. 2011)daughter of Spice Girl Melanie Brown and Stephen Belafonte.
  • Madison Mary Harper McGrath (b. 2015)daughter of cricketer Glenn McGrath.
  • Sadie Madison Sandler (b. 2006)daughter of actor Adam Sandler and Jacqueline Titone.
  • Violet Madison Nash (b. 2010)daughter of actress Christina Milian and rapper The Dream.

Madison in Pop Culture

  • Madisonself,named mermaid in film "Splash"
  • Madison North (Beardsley)character on American soap "All My Children"
  • Madison the Magic Show Fairycharacter in the Rainbow Magic series
  • Madison Montgomerycharacter on TV's "American Horror Story: Coven"
  • Madison Clarkmain character on TV's "Fear the Walking Dead"
  • Madison 'Maddie' Rooneycharacter on TV's "Liv and Maddie"
  • Madison RoccaBlue Ranger on TV's "Power Rangers Mystic Force"
  • Madison Duartecharacter on TV's "South of Nowhere"
  • Madison Taylor aka Tomoyo Daidoujicharacter in anime "Cardcaptor Sakura"
  • Madison Paigecharacter in video game "Heavy Rain"
  • Madison Sinclairminor character on TV's "Veronica Mars"
  • Madison McCarthycheerleader on TV's "Glee;" twin of Mason McCarthy
  • Madison Finntitle character in "From The Files of Madison Finn" by Laura Dower
  • Madison VanWatsoncharacter in "The Sims 3" computer game
  • Madison "Maddie" Youngcharacter in film "Hush"
  • Madison Paynea character from the Nickelodeon cartoon "Welcome To The Wayne"
  • Madisoncharacter in film "A Cinderella Story"