Madoka
Meaningcircle, tranquility · Japanese
Madoka is a Japanese girl name meaning “circle, tranquility”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Madoka would score 13 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationMadoka peaked in 1987, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Madoka you'd meet today is about 38 years old.
- HistoryMadoka first shows up in US birth records in 1987, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 38 years since.
US births per million girls, 1987–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Madoka
Madoka is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “circle, tranquility”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It hit its peak in the 1980s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Madoka
What does the name Madoka mean?
Madoka means “circle, tranquility” and comes from Japanese. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Sakina (“tranquility, calm”) and Sakinah (“tranquility, calm”).
What is the origin of the name Madoka?
Madoka is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Madoka a boy or girl name?
Madoka is a girl name.
How popular is the name Madoka?
Madoka is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1998. It peaked at #7,987 in 1987, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Madoka?
If you like Madoka, you might also like Sakina and Sakinah.
What should I know before naming my baby Madoka?
Madoka is a Japanese girl name meaning “circle, tranquility”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.