Magdalen
/ˈmæɡ.də.lən/noun
A woman from Magdala, especially Mary Magdalene in the New Testament.
Did you know?The name became strongly associated with repentance in Christian tradition because Mary Magdalene was later merged in popular imagination with a repentant sinner, even though that identification is not explicit in the New Testament.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Aramaic/Hebrew
Semitic
Magdala / migdal
“A tower; by extension, a place-name meaning 'tower' or 'elevated place'”
Greek New Testament
Greek
Μαγδαληνή (Magdalēnē)
“A woman from Magdala”
Late Latin
Latin
Magdalena
“Mary Magdalene; a woman of Magdala”
Old French
Old French
Magdalene / Magdalen
“The biblical figure Mary Magdalene”
Middle English
English
Magdalen
“Mary Magdalene; later, any woman or institution named after her”