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NamyLab

Marlene

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Star of the Sea"

Often explained as a blend of Maria and Magdalene; strongly associated with German and international twentieth-century usage.

Themes:compoundmodernfeminineeuropean
CelestialCosmicNatureNaturalUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Marlene

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1551Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Marlene did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Marlene Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Marlene.

10 ideas
Marie
Nickname
Marl
Nickname
marl
Nickname
ma
Nickname
mo
Nickname
lene
Nickname
rley
Nickname
my
Nickname
mie
Nickname
mary
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Marlene

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Marlene, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

32 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Marlene mean?
Marlene means "Star of the Sea". Often explained as a blend of Maria and Magdalene; strongly associated with German and international twentieth-century u
What is the origin of Marlene?
Marlene is of German origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Marlene?
According to the latest SSA data, Marlene is currently ranked #1551 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Marlene a girl name?
Marlene is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Marlene?
Popular nicknames for Marlene include Marie, Marl, marl, ma, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Marlene?
There are many names similar to Marlene in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginGerman, French
Syllables2
Length7 letters
US Rank#1551
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Marlene

Marlene has German roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our German baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Marlene appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Strength and Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Marlene pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Marlene beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.