Declining since 1985, #1,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Charlene since 1888
Babies named Charlene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 40 |
| 1900s | 139 |
| 1910s | 1,282 |
| 1920s | 5,570 |
| 1930s | 13,471 |
| 1940s | 26,782 |
| 1950s | 32,718 |
| 1960s | 24,624 |
| 1970s | 12,547 |
| 1980s | 8,938 |
| 1990s | 3,864 |
| 2000s | 1,741 |
| 2010s | 1,348 |
| 2020s | 660 |
Meaning & origin
Charlene first entered U.S. records in 1888 and reached its peak popularity in 1949, when it ranked among the top names for girls. Since 1985, its usage has steadily fallen, and by 2025 it was given to roughly 1 in every 16,235 newborns, ranking 1,942nd. The name was most common in Tennessee, California, and Texas. A classic mid-20th-century choice, Charlene carries the legacy of the masculine Charles softened by a feminine suffix, evoking the style of names like Marlene and Darlene that were fashionable in the same era.
Charlene is a feminine form of Charles, ultimately from the Germanic element *karlaz* meaning 'free man'. The suffix -ene is a French and English diminutive. The name emerged in the English-speaking world in the late 19th century, becoming especially popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s.
Where Charlene 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.
“Charlene” around the world
Where Charlene lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Char, Charlie, Lena, Charly
Sibling names for Charlene
Names that share Charlene's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Marlene, Janine, Darlene, Colleen, Kathleen, Jackie, Kari, Carleen, Larraine, Luanne, Arnetta, Carlena, Carletta, Charlesetta, Charleston, Earleen, Georgianne, Jeanene, Raelene, Shirlene, Carlette, Charletta, Charlita, Charlyne, Claudene, Darlean, Deatrice, Delene, Dorlene, Lorraina, Sherrice, Shirelle, Carollynn, Charlayne, Charnette, Danene, Gerlene, Jeanenne, Jearlene, Jolaine, Loletha, Marlette, Marlise, Marylene, Sharlette, Shellene, Sherline, Berlene, Chermaine, Annjanette, Arelene, Charlestine, Charlina, Darletta, Darlisa, Irlene, Jerelene, Johnnette, Lonnette, Melonee, Rexann, Scharlene, Sharine, Sharlena, Sharmel, Shirlena, Verleen, Waynetta
Brothers: Charles, Dennis, Gerald, Kenneth, Reginald, Karlton, Shadrick, Ranell, Carlens
Names like Charlene
Names whose popularity has moved with Charlene's over the last 50 years.
