Marlene
Marlene is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Combination of Mary (wished-for child or beloved) and Magdalene (of Magdala).
Origin and history
Marlene is a German blend of Maria and Magdalena, famously popularized in the 20th century. It achieved widespread international fame through the iconic actress Marlene Dietrich. In the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity during the mid-20th century and remains a classic, recognizable name.
Popularity in the United States
130,573 babies in the United States have been named Marlene since 1880. It ranks #310 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1242.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.6 %)
- PA (9.5 %)
- NY (9.4 %)
- IL (7 %)
- OH (6.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 18 |
| 1910-1920 | 263 |
| 1920-1930 | 774 |
| 1930-1940 | 37,355 |
| 1940-1950 | 29,295 |
| 1950-1960 | 25,251 |
| 1960-1970 | 12,951 |
| 1970-1980 | 5,728 |
| 1980-1990 | 4,769 |
| 1990-2000 | 5,716 |
| 2000-2010 | 5,283 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,222 |
| 2020-2029 | 948 |
Famous people named Marlene
- Marlene Dietrich: Actress, Singer
Nicknames
Marley, Lena, Marly
Fun facts
- Actress Marlene Dietrich, born Marie Magdalene Dietrich, created the portmanteau name Marlene for herself as a child.
- The name gained international popularity during World War II due to the famous song 'Lili Marleen'.