Magdalena

Derived from the Greek name Magdalēnē, meaning 'of Magdala,' a town on the Sea of Galilee. It entered Western naming traditions through Mary Magdalene and established roots across central Europe, Spain, and Latin America. In the United States, it maintained a steady, modest presence for over a century before quietly climbing in the late 1990s.

The name carries four syllables and takes its time arriving at the final vowel. Hearers often anticipate a European passport or a conservatory degree before meeting someone who grew up in suburban Ohio. Despite appearing in the national record since 1880, the majority of living bearers are relatively young. It carries substantial weight without ever having been ubiquitous.