Declining since 1985, #1,844 for girls today.
Popularity of Darlene since 1896
Babies named Darlene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 11 |
| 1900s | 92 |
| 1910s | 1,000 |
| 1920s | 7,426 |
| 1930s | 25,956 |
| 1940s | 40,321 |
| 1950s | 61,886 |
| 1960s | 43,527 |
| 1970s | 11,484 |
| 1980s | 5,184 |
| 1990s | 3,348 |
| 2000s | 2,372 |
| 2010s | 1,685 |
| 2020s | 650 |
Meaning & origin
Darlene is a name of English origin, first recorded in the United States in 1896. It saw its peak popularity in 1958, ranking high among baby names during the mid-20th century. In 2025, the name ranks 1844th, making it relatively rare today, with approximately 1 in 14,882 baby girls receiving the name. Since 1985, its usage has been steadily declining, a trajectory that continues. The name has been most favored in states like California, Texas, and Florida. Darlene remains a classic choice from the 1950s era, carrying a sweet and affectionate meaning.
Darlene originated as a modern coinage in the late 19th or early 20th century, formed from the English word 'darling' combined with the popular feminine suffix '-ene'. It first appeared in U.S. records around 1896, and its use grew steadily through the early 1900s, peaking in the 1950s. The name is sometimes considered a blend of 'darling' and 'Marlene'.
Where Darlene 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, Lena
Sibling names for Darlene
Names that share Darlene's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Carol, Denise, Joanne, Sharon, Linda, Charlene, Arleen, Arlene, Carleen, Carlene, Charlyn, Earlene, Joleen, Jolene, Larraine, Luanne, Marcene, Nadene, Sharilyn, Sharlene, Shirlee, Verlene, Arlean, Arlena, Arlinda, Arnita, Carlena, Charlean, Darice, Dawne, Deeanna, Deneen, Denita, Detra, Donita, Earleen, Erlene, Gaylene, Janean, Jeralyn, Joline, Karleen, Karlene, Lanelle, Lorretta, Margene, Marline, Merlene, Raelene, Raylene, Sharell, Sharleen, Sharolyn, Shelba, Sherell, Shirleen, Shirlene, Valinda, Aleene, Arlana, Arlynn, Arlys, Brendalee, Carlen, Carliss, Carren, Carylon, Charlyne, Charmin, Claudene, Danise, Darlean, Darnella, Daun, Dawnelle, Daylene, Deniece, Denine, Deronda, Donice, Dorena, Gayleen, Genene, Harlene, Jerlean, Jerlene, Jerline, Jillene, Jodell, Jodene, Jonita, Ladean, Lajune, Laresa, Linell, Maralee, Marcine, Marlyce, Marlyne, Michelene, Murlene, Rayma, Ronelle, Ronette, Shalene, Sharene, Sharin, Sharlet, Sharline, Sharmon, Sheran, Sherlene, Sherrice, Valene, Velinda, Waynette, Aldene, Arlisa, Arlyce, Brendalyn, Carlyne, Carollyn, Charleene, Charmine, Cherlynn, Connee, Danene, Darleny, Daune, Davene, Dawanda, Donise, Doylene, Drinda, Durinda, Dwanda, Earlyne, Faylene, Gearldean, Gearline, Geralene, Gerlene, Gerline, Illene, Jannice, Jeanell, Jeanenne, Jearlean, Jearlene, Jodeen, Jodine, Joeleen, Jolaine, Jolane, Jolean, Joylene, Karlena, Korene, Ladena, Ladene, Loletha, Lujean, Luwana, Lynita, Mardee, Marlane, Marliss, Marvette, Marylene, Myrlene, Norlene, Ralene, Rejeana, Roxine, Roylene, Sandria, Scherrie, Sharmane, Shelene, Shellene, Sherisse, Sherl, Sherlie, Sherline, Sherrian, Shirlean, Tylene, Verlena, Waldine, Wannetta, Berlene, Cherrill, Earlena, Gennell, Harlean, Janace, Nellene, Shirline, Arelene, Arlyss, Artina, Charman, Charmon, Danine, Darcella, Darene, Darleth, Darnice, Decarla, Deneane, Deneice, Denene, Donnice, Dorlisa, Genean, Geneen, Geryl, Glennette, Irlene, Ivalene, Jerelene, Jerita, Jillayne, Joleene, Jolleen, Judene, Karlen, Ladelle, Laurali, Lonnette, Luane, Lurleen, Mardene, Marlean, Marvalene, Marvelene, Merleen, Rexann, Reylene, Rhondalyn, Rolene, Roxene, Scharlene, Shalona, Sharlena, Sharlett, Sharley, Sharlynn, Shelbia, Sherel, Shirlena, Shyrl, Trease, Vaunda, Veralyn, Verleen, Verlinda, Wilene, Wilmarie, Wilmary
Brothers: Gary, Wayne, Kevin, Dennis, Larry, Keith, Melvin, Randal, Darl, Delvin, Dewayne, Luverne, Marlan, Bernell, Darcel, Darick, Darold, Dawayne, Detrick, Gaylon, Jerrel, Jonell, Karlton, Lavelle, Melvyn, Pernell, Randel, Terryl, Verlon, Cheron, Darral, Darriel, Darrol, Derral, Dewain, Donathan, Earvin, Jearl, Karron, Lawayne, Lonzell, Rodell, Sherod, Tharon, Carvell, Clevon, Darol, Darrelle, Darryle, Deano, Deldrick, Derron, Dornell, Dorrell, Ferlin, Gearl, Lavance, Mandrell, Mardell, Marwin, Montrice, Orlen, Ronnel, Dannis, Carlens, Deddrick, Duanne, Durelle, Duwane, Garlon, Jermine, Jerryl, Raydell, Rockney, Warnell, Yarnell
Names like Darlene
Names whose popularity has moved with Darlene's over the last 50 years.
