Fionn vs Madelene
Fionn and Madelenecompared on official birth-registration statistics and Namewise's recorded data. This page states what each name's record shows — it never picks a winner or scores one name against the other.
Head to head
Ranks are only compared within one published list and one year. Two ranks from different years, from a boys' and a girls' list, or from different registrars are not comparable, so they are not placed side by side.
England and Wales · Girls
In 2004, Fionn was ranked #4598 and Madelene #2530 among girls in England and Wales.
Side by side
| Field | Fionn | Madelene |
|---|---|---|
| Record type | Editorially researched profile | Official statistical record (evidence-only) |
| Gender usage | male | female |
| Meaning | Traditionally interpreted as 'white' or 'fair', extending in Old Irish usage to 'bright' and figuratively 'true, just'. Strongly associated with the mythological hero Fionn mac Cumhaill. | Not yet recorded |
| Origin | Irish | Not yet recorded |
| Pronunciation | /ˈfɪn/ | Not yet recorded |
| Syllables | 1 | 4 |
| Common variants / nicknames | Not yet recorded | Not yet recorded |
| Recorded regional usage | GB-ENW, GB-NIR, GB-SCT, IE | GB-ENW, NO |
| Most recent popularity observation | Republic of Ireland · Boys #6 (2025) | Norway · Girls #582 (2013) |
| Pronunciation clarity (demonstration score) | 90/100 | Not yet recorded |
| Spelling simplicity (demonstration score) | 94/100 | 76/100 |
| International familiarity (demonstration score) | 100/100 | 60/100 |
| Data Confidence | medium | medium |
What the data shows
- Fionn has a recorded origin (Irish); Madelene does not have one recorded yet.
- Fionn has 1 syllable, compared with 4 for Madelene.
- A meaning is recorded for Fionn; Madelene doesn't have one written yet.
- Both names have recorded usage in GB-ENW.
How each name got here
Fionn
Popularity journey
First recorded1971
First recorded at #257 among boys in Republic of Ireland in 1971 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Highest recorded1971–2025
Highest recorded position: #6 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2023 (recorded 1971–2025).
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Most recent2025
Most recently recorded at #6 among boys in Republic of Ireland, in 2025.
Republic of Ireland · Boys
Madelene
Popularity journey
First recorded1985
First recorded at #570 among girls in Norway in 1985 — the earliest year that source publishes this name, not necessarily the earliest it was used.
Norway · Girls
Highest recorded1985–2013
Highest recorded position: #264 among girls in Norway, in 1999 (recorded 1985–2013).
Norway · Girls
Most recent2013
Most recently recorded at #582 among girls in Norway, in 2013.
Norway · Girls