Declining since 2018, #9,457 for girls today.
Popularity of Darleen since 1914
Babies named Darleen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1958, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Darleen's real moment was 1943.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 93 |
| 1920s | 811 |
| 1930s | 1,181 |
| 1940s | 1,842 |
| 1950s | 1,667 |
| 1960s | 1,318 |
| 1970s | 504 |
| 1980s | 227 |
| 1990s | 176 |
| 2000s | 219 |
| 2010s | 232 |
| 2020s | 62 |
Meaning & origin
Darleen is a name that embodies mid-20th-century American naming styles, derived from the affectionate term 'darling'. First recorded in 1914, it reached its peak popularity in 1943, when it was a common choice for girls. Since then, its usage has declined, and it currently ranks 9457th in the U.S. in 2025, with an estimated 1 in 160,727 newborns receiving the name. The trajectory has been falling since 2018, reflecting the name's fading appeal in modern times. Despite its current rarity, Darleen carries a vintage charm reminiscent of the 1940s, a period when names with the -leen suffix were especially fashionable.
Darleen is a 20th-century coinage, likely an elaboration of the English word darling. It gained popularity in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s, fitting a pattern of names with the -leen suffix that were fashionable at the time, such as Kathleen and Eileen. The name's usage has since declined.
Where Darleen 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: Darla, Dee, Lena
Sibling names for Darleen
Names that share Darleen's style, for a brother or sister.
