Declining since 1985, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Carlene since 1895
Babies named Carlene per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1955, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Carlene's real moment was 1936.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 40 |
| 1910s | 305 |
| 1920s | 839 |
| 1930s | 2,273 |
| 1940s | 3,026 |
| 1950s | 3,302 |
| 1960s | 2,389 |
| 1970s | 1,027 |
| 1980s | 788 |
| 1990s | 582 |
| 2000s | 406 |
| 2010s | 183 |
| 2020s | 60 |
Meaning & origin
Carlene is a feminine form of Carl, originating from the Germanic word for 'free man'. It entered use in the late 19th century, first recorded in 1895, and saw its peak popularity in 1936. Since 1985, its usage has been declining, reflecting a broader trend away from -ene suffixed names. In 2025, it ranked 14,942, with approximately 1 in 321,453 newborns receiving the name. While never among the most common names, Carlene has a steady, if diminishing, presence in the United States.
Carlene is a feminine variant of Carl, which comes from the Germanic word 'karlaz' meaning 'free man'. It emerged in the English-speaking world in the 19th century as a fashionable -ene suffix form, paralleling names like Darlene and Marlene. The name saw increased use in the United States during the 1930s, reaching its peak popularity in 1936.
Where Carlene is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Carly, Lena, Carrie, Carla
Sibling names for Carlene
Names that share Carlene's style, for a brother or sister.
