Declining since 2001, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Raylene since 1926
Babies named Raylene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 30 |
| 1930s | 129 |
| 1940s | 361 |
| 1950s | 560 |
| 1960s | 600 |
| 1970s | 385 |
| 1980s | 387 |
| 1990s | 496 |
| 2000s | 591 |
| 2010s | 381 |
| 2020s | 145 |
Meaning & origin
Raylene is a distinctly American modern coinage, entering the U.S. naming pool in 1926. Its composition reflects a popular early-20th-century pattern: a short, recognizable first element (Ray) paired with the melodic '-lene' suffix seen in names like Darlene and Marlene. The name reached its peak rank in 1961, a time when such blended names were especially fashionable, but has since experienced a gradual decline, with its trajectory falling notably since 2001. Today, Raylene is quite rare, given to roughly 1 in every 100,454 girls in 2025. Its greatest historical concentration has been in California, suggesting a Western U.S. affinity. While never a top-tier name, Raylene carries a mid-century charm that may appeal to parents seeking a distinctive yet intuitive vintage choice.
Raylene is a modern coinage, first recorded in the United States in 1926. It appears to be a blend of the name Ray (itself a short form of Raymond or a given name derived from the English word for a beam of light) with the fashionable suffix -lene, popular in the early 20th century (as in Darlene, Marlene). The name may also be considered a variant of Raeleen, which combines Rae with the same suffix. Raylene saw its peak usage in 1961 and has since declined in popularity.
Where Raylene is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ray, Lena
Sibling names for Raylene
Names that share Raylene's style, for a brother or sister.
