Declining since 2007, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Marleen since 1926
Babies named Marleen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1951, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Marleen's real moment was 1939.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 23 |
| 1930s | 406 |
| 1940s | 822 |
| 1950s | 938 |
| 1960s | 473 |
| 1970s | 313 |
| 1980s | 230 |
| 1990s | 288 |
| 2000s | 363 |
| 2010s | 199 |
| 2020s | 66 |
Meaning & origin
Marleen is a Dutch and German name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1926. It saw its highest usage in 1939, ranking 10,917 in 2025 with a rate of 1 in 200,908 girls. The name has been on a falling trajectory since 2007, reflecting its rarity in contemporary naming. It is most often considered a variant of Marlene, which itself gained prominence through the iconic actress Marlene Dietrich. While never common in the United States, Marleen carries a mid-20th century European charm and remains a distinctive choice.
Marleen is a Dutch and German name that arose in the early 20th century, likely as a variant of Marlene. Marlene is a blend of Maria and Magdalene, popularized by the German actress Marlene Dietrich. Another possibility is that Marleen combines Maria with the suffix -leen, a diminutive or affectionate ending. The name saw peak popularity in the 1930s and has since declined in use.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mar, Lena, Marly
Sibling names for Marleen
Names that share Marleen's style, for a brother or sister.
