Declining since 1985, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Sharlene since 1917
Babies named Sharlene per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 88 |
| 1930s | 1,120 |
| 1940s | 2,000 |
| 1950s | 2,893 |
| 1960s | 2,462 |
| 1970s | 1,314 |
| 1980s | 971 |
| 1990s | 621 |
| 2000s | 396 |
| 2010s | 241 |
| 2020s | 64 |
Meaning & origin
Sharlene first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1917, but its popularity crested in the mid-20th century, peaking at rank 497 in 1956. Since 1985, the name has been on a steady downward trajectory, falling to a 2025 rank of 10,107 with a frequency of 1 in 178,585 births that year. Though its origins blend English, French, and German roots, Sharlene has remained most common in the United States. The name reflects a mid-century taste for feminine elaborations of male names, a style that has since waned.
Sharlene is a modern English elaboration of Charlene, itself a feminine form of Charles. Charles derives from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man', though it may also have a root meaning 'peasant' or 'man'. Sharlene emerged in early 20th-century English-speaking countries, gaining popularity in the mid-20th century particularly in the United States and United Kingdom.
Where Sharlene is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Charlie, Lena, Shar
Sibling names for Sharlene
Names that share Sharlene's style, for a brother or sister.
