Holding steady.
Popularity of Murlene since 1912
Babies named Murlene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 22 |
| 1920s | 131 |
| 1930s | 211 |
| 1940s | 160 |
| 1950s | 72 |
| 1960s | 20 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Murlene is a rare feminine name that first entered U.S. records in 1912, at the dawn of a wave of coined '-ene' names. It reached its highest point in 1934, the peak year of its modest usage, but never broke into the top 1,000 rankings nationally. After the 1930s, its occurrence declined sharply and has remained steady at very low numbers. The name's construction mirrors the fashionable suffix of Marlene and Darlene, but with the initial 'Mur' possibly drawn from Muriel. Although its exact derivation is uncertain, Murlene fits squarely in the category of early 20th-century American invented names that combine familiar sounds. No single state recorded notable usage of Murlene, confirming its spread as an uncommon choice across the country.
Murlene appears to be a modern coinage from the early 20th century, likely formed on the pattern of names like Marlene or Darlene, possibly influenced by Muriel. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1912, but its components do not trace back to a single established root.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Murl, Lena
Sibling names for Murlene
Names that share Murlene's style, for a brother or sister.
