Holding steady.
Popularity of Marlaine since 1936
Babies named Marlaine per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 20 |
| 1940s | 113 |
| 1950s | 138 |
| 1960s | 61 |
| 1970s | 13 |
| 1980s | 16 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Marlaine is a rare, modern feminine name that emerged in the United States in 1936. Its peak usage came in 1949, during the heyday of invented compound names combining Mar- with fashionable suffixes. The name has never appeared on the national popularity charts and remains highly uncommon, with a stable trajectory into 2025. Its formation aligns with other coinages of the era, such as Marlene and Arlene, though it never achieved similar recognition. Marlaine's scarcity makes it a distinctive choice, but its exact meaning remains uncertain, reflecting the creative naming trends of the mid-20th century.
Marlaine first appeared in the United States in the late 1930s, during a period when compound names blending Mar- (from Marie or Margaret) with popular suffixes like -laine (from Elaine) were fashionable. It peaked in 1949 and has since remained a rare and stable name. Its structure aligns with other mid-century inventions such as Marlene and Arlene, though it never achieved widespread usage.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mar, Lainey
Variants: Marlayne, Marlain
Sibling names for Marlaine
Names that share Marlaine's style, for a brother or sister.
