Magdalena
Magdalena is a Christian girl name of Hebrew/Aramaic, via Greek and Latin origin, meaning “Woman from Magdala; 'tower'”.
| Meaning | Woman from Magdala; 'tower' |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Hebrew/Aramaic, via Greek and Latin |
| Pronunciation | mahg-dah-LEH-nah |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | Poland, Germany, Spain, Croatia |
Meaning and origin of Magdalena
Magdalena comes from the title of Mary Magdalene, meaning 'of Magdala', a town on the Sea of Galilee. The place name is usually traced to the Hebrew and Aramaic migdal 'tower', which is why the name is often glossed that way. Latin and Greek Christian writings spread the title, and by the Middle Ages it was used as a first name across Europe. It remains especially strong in Poland, Germany, Spain and the Slavic lands, often shortened to Magda or Lena.
Is Magdalena a Christian name?
Yes, it is a biblical name: Mary Magdalene follows Jesus in the Gospels and is the first witness of the Resurrection in John 20. She is a saint in Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions, with a feast on 22 July.
How popular is Magdalena?
Widely used in Central and Eastern Europe and the Spanish-speaking world, and familiar in English through Madeline.
Gifts with the name Magdalena
- Magdalena name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Magdalena baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Magdalena
Names similar to Magdalena
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Magdalena mean?
Magdalena means 'Woman from Magdala; 'tower''. It is of Hebrew/Aramaic, via Greek and Latin origin.
Is Magdalena a Christian name?
Yes, it is a biblical name: Mary Magdalene follows Jesus in the Gospels and is the first witness of the Resurrection in John 20. She is a saint in Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions, with a feast on 22 July.
How do you pronounce Magdalena?
Magdalena is pronounced mahg-dah-LEH-nah.
Is Magdalena a boy or girl name?
Magdalena is usually a girl name.