I have only fallen for this name recently, but it keeps popping back into my head when I least expect it (in a good way!) Can the biblical reference be overcome? And is it too similar to [name]Marguerite[/name] (another favourite, but has been for a long time)? If so, which do you prefer and why? What middle names would work best with it?
Sorry for the question overload…! Thanks in advance.
I prefer [name]Marguerite[/name] over [name]Magdalena[/name]. I have a bad association with [name]Magdalena[/name], not because of the bible, but because of a song “[name]Magdalena[/name] hagdalena” we sang at camp for many years. It paints a not flattering picture. [name]Silly[/name], I know. I think [name]Marguerite[/name] is beautiful and sophisticated.
I adore [name]Magdalena[/name].
It was one of my favorites for years and yes, I do think the Biblical reference can be overcome. I love that it has such a range of nicknames, [name]Magda[/name] (which I love, but for a lot of people it’s too [name]Miranda[/name]'s housekeeper on SATC), [name]Lena[/name], [name]Maggie[/name], etc…
[name]Magdalena[/name] and [name]Marguerite[/name] are a little too close for sisters in my opinion, I prefer [name]Magdalena[/name].
[name]Magdalena[/name] [name]Blythe[/name] (short and feminine)
[name]Magdalena[/name] [name]Belle[/name] (ditto)
[name]Magdalena[/name] [name]Jane[/name] (love the repeated vowel actually)
[name]Magdalena[/name] [name]Quinn[/name] (for more of a balanced feel)
[name]Magdalena[/name] is a lovely name but I prefer [name]Marguerite[/name] or Margeaux.
I love both names. They are [name]BOTH[/name] elegant and beautiful. However, my favorite is [name]Magdalena[/name] based on its smooth flowing, feminine sounds. The name does not seem overly biblical to me at all.
Thank you all for your feedback - ahh, so difficult! I think I may be leaning slightly towards [name]Marguerite[/name] though? Or not… Anyway, thank you.
I definitely think of [name]Mary[/name] [name]Magdalene[/name] when I hear it. But to me that is a good thing.
I also associate it with an unpleasant rhyming song from grade school. And a Perfect Circle song my jerk ex boyfriend loved. LOL! So there are lots of associations for me but I still like it. [name]Magda[/name] is a great nn.
I do not like [name]Marguerite[/name] at all.
@missusaytch - haha, I suppose, in a way, it is a good thing that there are so many negative associations for you and yet you still like it! (I haven’t heard either song though…) However, I really love [name]Marguerite[/name] because of The [name]Scarlet[/name] Pimpernel sigh. Confusion… Anyway, thank you!
I love [name]Magdalena[/name].
Only reason it’s not higher on my list is because I’m really not a fan of the nn [name]Maggie[/name] (I know there are a bunch of other NN options for [name]Magdalena[/name], including [name]Magda[/name], [name]Lena[/name], [name]Lennie[/name], [name]Meg[/name], etc. but I think it’s gonna be hard to get away from [name]Maggie[/name] no matter how hard you push for another one…even if you call her [name]Magda[/name] at home, people away from home will gravitate toward [name]Maggie[/name] unless they are corrected consistently) Anyways if [name]Maggie[/name] doesn’t bother you, then I think it’s a way better name than [name]Marguerite[/name]! I’ve never been a fan of [name]Marguerite[/name], too many different vowels. I’d rather just have [name]Margaret[/name] or my nerdy favorite, Margaery (from A Song Of [name]Fire[/name] And Ice!)
@capturedcastle - I was hoping that [name]Lena[/name] might catch on for [name]Magdalena[/name], but I know you’re right and that [name]Maggie[/name] will be difficult to escape. Not that I really dislike [name]Maggie[/name] that much, but I prefer [name]Lena[/name] so much more…Margaery is very cool though! Thank you very much.
(Also, sorry, your username is brilliant - I Captured the Castle is one of my favourite books, and [name]Cassandra[/name] one of my favourite names!)
Oh thank you! You know, I use capturedcastle pretty much everywhere, but Nameberry is the only forum where people have commented on it. We must be a well-read bunch =)
Really? I’m surprised - I thought it would be a book well-known enough that others would (maybe not immediately but still quite quickly) get the reference. But maybe you’re right - perhaps we are just well-read!
I think it’s very pretty! [name]Magnolia[/name] is another one that has a similar sound I am crushing on right now 
Ooh I love [name]Magnolia[/name]! It is also my mum’s favourite flower (some random trivia there!). Thank you @erinpurple.
I like [name]Magdalena[/name], but prefer it for a middle name. I love [name]Marguerite[/name] but like the other poster said, prefer [name]Marjorie[/name] or [name]Margaret[/name].
@marsy33 - thank you very much for commenting - I think you might be right about [name]Magdalena[/name]. It’s beautiful, but I have loved [name]Marguerite[/name] for such a long time…hmm, I haven’t heard [name]Marjorie[/name] before (well, not very often) - that’s a pretty name too. Thank you!
There is a little girl called [name]Magdalena[/name] at my church. She is the most adorable thing. No one has commented on the [name]Mary[/name] [name]Magdalene[/name] thing however she rarely goes by her full name. Her parents call her [name]Maggie[/name]. If right from the start you call her [name]Lena[/name] everyone else will follow suit.
@milenaviolet - Aww, I can imagine a little [name]Magdalena[/name] being absolutely adorable! So her parents do call her [name]Maggie[/name]? I’m starting to think [name]Maggie[/name] might be inevitable…but you’re right, hopefully if I were to put up enough of a fight, I might manage to sneak [name]Lena[/name] in instead… Thank you so much for commenting.