Madeleine's return to popularity

The name Madeleine, which was widely used in France in 1920, has made a comeback in recent years, reappearing in the national rankings after nearly disappearing from use.

Rising usage over five years

According to the 2025 INSEE name file, Madeleine is now ranked 112th nationally. Its popularity has steadily increased over the past five years, with the number of girls named Madeleine growing significantly.

Increase in births named Madeleine

The number of births with the name Madeleine rose from 250 in 2020 to 485 in 2025, marking a 94 percent increase. These figures are rounded to the nearest multiple of five for statistical confidentiality.

Historical context of the name

In 1920, nearly 10,000 girls were named Madeleine, but the name fell out of favor and nearly vanished from maternity wards. The 9,970 births recorded that year are also rounded to the nearest multiple of five.

Reasons for the resurgence

INSEE attributes the name's return to factors such as nostalgia, cultural interest, and a desire for rarity. This trend reflects a common pattern in which old names experience a revival in popularity.