Declining since 2020, #666 for girls today.
Popularity of Jolene since 1918
Babies named Jolene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 14 |
| 1920s | 226 |
| 1930s | 999 |
| 1940s | 2,347 |
| 1950s | 4,820 |
| 1960s | 4,789 |
| 1970s | 6,018 |
| 1980s | 5,293 |
| 1990s | 1,784 |
| 2000s | 1,966 |
| 2010s | 4,514 |
| 2020s | 3,454 |
Meaning & origin
Jolene first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1918, but its popularity surged in the 1970s, reaching a peak rank of 666 in 1974. Today it sits at rank 666 as of 2025, with a 1-in-3800 birth rate, and its trajectory has been falling since 2020. The name is most common in West Virginia, Oregon, and Washington state, reflecting a regional preference for melodic, feminine compound names. Jolene belongs to a 1970s renaissance of -lene names, and while its usage has declined from its heyday, it retains a nostalgic charm.
Jolene is a 20th-century American invention, formed by blending the name Jo (a short form of Josephine or Joanna) with the popular suffix -lene (as seen in Darlene, Marlene). The name gained widespread recognition through Dolly Parton's 1973 song 'Jolene,' which became a cultural touchstone.
Where Jolene 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.
“Jolene” around the world
Where Jolene lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Jo, Joley
Sibling names for Jolene
Names that share Jolene's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Darlene, Loretta, Ramona, Penny, Dorothy, Jaylene, Johnna, Joleen, Jolyn, Sharlene, Cheree, Donielle, Gaylene, Jolynn, Jonelle, Rayleen, Daylene, Desaree, Genene, Janeice, Jannine, Jewelia, Jodean, Jolena, Jolinda, Karalee, Larayne, Maylene, Valene, Angelyne, Charee, Darleny, Jodeen, Joeleen, Jolane, Myleen, Norlene, Roxine, Roylene, Salinda, Sareen, Shellene, Tonee, Arlenne, Bobbyjo, Charne, Gelene, Jalaine, Jarica, Jerita, Jobina, Jodette, Jolayne, Joleah, Joleena, Joleene, Joliet, Jolleen, Justene, Leianne, Leilene, Salene, Shalaine, Yailene
Brothers: Wayne, Earl, Roy, Dean, Gene, Devonne, Jerone, Jonel, Cleavon, Orenthal, Bocephus, Jimmi, Joeph
Names like Jolene
Names whose popularity has moved with Jolene's over the last 50 years.
