Madalena
- Gender
- Unisex
- Origin
- 🇨🇻 Cape Verde
- Religion
- Christianity
- First Seen
- —
- Trait
- Devoted
Meaning & Etymology
woman from Magdala
woman from Magdala
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew place name ‘Magdala’ (מגדל), meaning ‘tower’ or ‘elevated, great.’ The name became associated with Mary Magdalene in the New Testament.
Linguistic family: Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Western > Ibero-Romance > Galician-Portuguese
Cultural context
In Cape Verde, ‘Madalena’ is a common given name influenced by Portuguese colonization and the predominant Catholic faith. It reflects the islands’ strong ties to European naming traditions and Christian heritage.
Symbolism
The name symbolizes strength and spiritual devotion, often associated with the biblical figure of Mary Magdalene, who is seen as a symbol of transformation and faithfulness.
Religious reference
Luke 8:2 (mention of Mary Magdalene)
Related names
Famous People
Madalena Iglésias
music · Portugal · b. 1939
Portuguese singer who represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1966.