Merlene
Merlene is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Blackbird; or star of the sea.
Origin and history
Merlene is a feminine given name of French and English origins, often considered a variant of Merle or Marlene. It gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century in the United States but has since become rare. Today, it offers a vintage feel reminiscent of classic mid-century names.
Popularity in the United States
2,379 babies in the United States have been named Merlene since 1880. It ranks #3617 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- TX (40.9 %)
- CA (15.4 %)
- LA (7.9 %)
- AL (7 %)
- UT (6.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 76 |
| 1920-1930 | 307 |
| 1930-1940 | 687 |
| 1940-1950 | 632 |
| 1950-1960 | 432 |
| 1960-1970 | 181 |
| 1970-1980 | 53 |
| 1980-1990 | 11 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Merle, Lena
Fun facts
- It derived partly as an expanded feminine form of Merle, which comes from the Old French word for blackbird.
- The name experienced its highest levels of usage in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s.