Meaning, origin, history
Madison is a unisex name of American origin. It was originally used as a surname before becoming popular as a given name in the late 20th century.
The meaning of Madison is "son of Matthew." Matthew is a biblical name that means "gift of God" or "God has shown favor."
There are several possible origins for the surname Madison. One theory suggests that it is derived from an English placename, Maddiston, which was recorded in the 13th century and meant "settlement on the mad (marshy) hill." Another theory proposes that Madison is of Scottish origin, meaning "son of Mædocus," a personal name derived from the Old Welsh word "maedd" meaning "battle."
The use of Madison as a given name may have been influenced by its popularity as a surname in America. It became particularly common after the founding of Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1879, which was named after U.S. President James Madison.
In recent years, Madison has become increasingly popular as a girl's name. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it ranked as the 46th most popular name for girls born in the United States in 2019. While it is primarily associated with females today, Madison can still be used as a boy's name and has been given to some famous males, such as basketball player James "Madison" Square Garden III.
Overall, Madison is a modern American name with a strong historical connection to the United States. Its meaning, "son of Matthew," reflects its biblical origins, while its possible Scottish and English placename roots give it an added layer of complexity. Despite being relatively new as a given name, Madison has quickly become popular among parents looking for unique yet meaningful names for their children.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Madiyson since 1880
Total births
5
Total since 1880
Peak year
2013
5 births
in 2013
5
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-100%
↘
vs previous 5 years