Karlene
Karlene is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Free woman; feminine form of Karl.
Origin and history
Karlene is a feminine given name derived from Karl or Charles, which stems from the Germanic element meaning 'free man'. It emerged in the mid-20th century in the United States as a combination of Karl and the popular 'ene' suffix. Though rarely used today, it remains a traditional choice with clear historical roots.
Popularity in the United States
4,167 babies in the United States have been named Karlene since 1880. It ranks #2725 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2063.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22.3 %)
- NY (14.2 %)
- MI (11.7 %)
- OH (9.5 %)
- IL (6.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 24 |
| 1920-1930 | 87 |
| 1930-1940 | 408 |
| 1940-1950 | 741 |
| 1950-1960 | 853 |
| 1960-1970 | 798 |
| 1970-1980 | 372 |
| 1980-1990 | 344 |
| 1990-2000 | 255 |
| 2000-2010 | 176 |
| 2010-2019 | 71 |
| 2020-2029 | 38 |
Nicknames
Karl, Karrie, Karlie
Fun facts
- Karlene saw its greatest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century alongside similar '-ene' named trends.
- It shares the same ultimate Germanic root as Charles, Charlotte, and Caroline.