What is the name madeleine?

Madeleine is a name of French origin that means "tower" or "woman from Magdala" (a village in Israel mentioned in the Bible). It has been a popular name for girls in France, England, and various other countries since the Middle Ages. Famous people with the name Madeleine include the Duchess of Cambridge's sister, Madeleine Albright (former Secretary of State in the US), and Madeleine L'Engle (author of the book "A Wrinkle in Time"). The name has also been used in literature, with the character of Madeleine appearing in Marcel Proust's "À la recherche du temps perdu".