Magdalene

Magdalene derives from the Latinized and Greek form of the Hebrew place name Migdal Eder or Magdala, meaning tower, referring to a town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The name is inseparable from Mary Magdalene, the New Testament figure who, according to the Gospels, was healed by Jesus and became one of his most devoted followers, traditionally identified as the first witness to the resurrection. Her association with devotion and repentance gave the name deep religious resonance throughout the Christian world, and it became widely used across Europe during the medieval period. Related forms include Magdalena, Madeleine, Madeline, Malin, and Marlene.