Holding steady, #14,942 for girls today.
Popularity of Harlene since 1915
Babies named Harlene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 23 |
| 1920s | 46 |
| 1930s | 422 |
| 1940s | 348 |
| 1950s | 159 |
| 1960s | 67 |
| 1970s | 34 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 10 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Harlene first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1915, a product of the early 20th-century feminine name fashion that blended surnames with the -lene suffix. It never achieved wide popularity, reaching its peak rank in 1937. By 2025, the name ranked 14,942 with a frequency of about 1 in 321,453 births. Trajectory data indicates stable usage in recent decades, with no significant revival. While rarely used, Harlene retains a vintage charm for parents seeking an uncommon name with a retro feel.
Harlene likely emerged in the early 20th century as a feminine elaboration of the surname Harley (from Old English hara 'hare' + leah 'wood, clearing'), combined with the popular -lene suffix seen in names like Marlene and Arlene. It was recorded from 1915 in the United States, but never became widespread, peaking in the 1930s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Harley, Lena, Harly
Variants: Harleen
Sibling names for Harlene
Names that share Harlene's style, for a brother or sister.
