Holding steady.
Popularity of Merlene since 1913
Babies named Merlene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 76 |
| 1920s | 307 |
| 1930s | 687 |
| 1940s | 632 |
| 1950s | 432 |
| 1960s | 181 |
| 1970s | 53 |
| 1980s | 11 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Merlene is a feminine name that emerged in the early 20th century, first recorded in the United States in 1913. It saw its highest popularity in 1940, during the decade of the 1940s, when names with the -lene suffix were fashionable. Since then, its usage has declined significantly, and it has remained stable at very low numbers. The name was never among the top 1000 nationally, and its rarity makes it a distinctive choice. While its exact origin is uncertain, Merlene is typically considered a modern English coinage, blending Merle with the popular ending from names like Marlene.
Merlene is a modern invented name, likely formed by blending Merle (from the French for 'blackbird') with the popular suffix -lene from names like Marlene. Marlene itself is a blend of Mary and Magdalene, but Merlene may also be a respelling of Marlene. It first appeared in the United States in the early 20th century, with a notable peak in the 1940s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mer, Lena
Sibling names for Merlene
Names that share Merlene's style, for a brother or sister.
