Madison is a popular given name of English origin. It is derived from the surname Madison, which has its roots in Old English and means "son of Maud" or "son of Matthew." The name Maud is believed to have been a pet form of the Germanic name Mahthildis, which was composed of the elements mahat, meaning "might," and hild, meaning "battle."
The use of Madison as a given name for girls began in the United States during the early 20th century. It gained popularity in the 1980s after it was used by several celebrities, including actresses Madison Smith and Madison Page.
Madison is also notable for being the name of several places in the United States, most famously Madison Square Garden in New York City and the city of Madison, Wisconsin. The latter was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
In literature, Madison has been used as a character name in several works, including the novel "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton and the television series "Sons of Anarchy."
Overall, Madison is a unique and attractive given name that has gained popularity over the years due to its historical roots and celebrity associations. It continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a distinctive name for their daughters.
Here are some observations on the given statistics:
* The name Madison was quite uncommon during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with fewer than 50 births per year between 1880 and 1945.
* Starting in the mid-1940s, there's a noticeable increase in popularity. Between 1946 and 1973, the number of annual births named Madison ranged from around 20 to around 40.
* The name Madison began its significant rise in popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1985, there were only 81 births; by 1993, that number had risen to 222.
* Madison reached its peak popularity between 1994 and 2005, with over 200 births per year. The highest recorded year was 269 in 1995.
* Since 2005, the popularity of the name Madison has decreased significantly, dropping from a high of 268 births in 1997 to just 26 births in 2023.
* In total, there have been 7816 births named Madison between 1880 and 2023.