name
Common
Madison
MA-dih-suhn
Madison (name) means a female given name, popularized after appearing in the 1984 film Splash. Example: “Madison was one of the most popular girls' names in America in the 1990s and 2000s.”
name
1
A female given name, popularized after appearing in the 1984 film Splash.
"Madison was one of the most popular girls' names in America in the 1990s and 2000s."
2
The capital city of Wisconsin, USA, and other places in the US named after President James Madison.
"She studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison."
noun
1
A track cycling relay race in which pairs of riders take turns racing while their partner rests.
"The madison is one of the most exciting events at the velodrome."
How to use Madison
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common given name and US place name, plus a specific track-cycling race format.
Common pairings
madison race
the Wisconsin capital, Madison
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Word forms
- Plural
- Madisons
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_____ was one of the most popular girls' names in America in the 1990s and 2000s.
Etymology
The given name was popularized by the 1984 film Splash, taking its name from Madison Avenue in Manhattan; the cycling race and place names trace to the surname Madison, itself from "Mathieson".
Class of 1984
Madison joined the language around 1984.
See the full Class of 1984 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Madison
See all rhymes for Madison →Frequently asked questions
What does “Madison” mean?
The word “Madison” means a female given name, popularized after appearing in the 1984 film Splash. In plain terms, a common given name and US place name, plus a specific track-cycling race format.
How do you pronounce “Madison”?
“Madison” is pronounced MA-dih-suhn (/ˈmædɪsən/ in IPA).
How do you use “Madison” in a sentence?
Here is “Madison” used in a sentence: “Madison was one of the most popular girls' names in America in the 1990s and 2000s.”
What part of speech is “Madison”?
Depending on how it is used, “Madison” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Madison” come from?
The word “Madison” dates back to around 1984. The given name was popularized by the 1984 film Splash, taking its name from Madison Avenue in Manhattan; the cycling race and place names trace to the surname Madison, itself from "Mathieson".
Is “Madison” a common word?
“Madison” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Madison” have?
“Madison” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female given name, popularized after appearing in the 1984 film Splash.
Is Madison a girl's name or a boy's name?
Madison is used predominantly as a female given name in modern English, a usage that became popular after the name appeared in the 1984 film Splash. It began life as a surname and is occasionally still given to boys.
Why is the capital of Wisconsin called Madison?
Madison, the capital city of Wisconsin, was named in honour of James Madison, a President of the United States. Several other places across the US also carry the name for the same reason.
What are common nicknames for Madison?
The most common short forms of Madison are Maddie, Maddy, and Mads. These informal nicknames are widely used for people named Madison.
What is the difference between the spellings Madison and Maddison?
Madison, with a single d, is the far more common spelling for both the given name and the place names. Maddison, with a double d, is a less frequent variant used mainly as a surname or given name.
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