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Marlene

Girl name · Mexican

Meaningblend of Maria and Magdalene · German

Marlene is a Mexican girl name meaning “blend of Maria and Magdalene”, with German roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.

Did you know?

  • GenerationMarlene peaked in 1936, which makes it a Silent Generation name, think grandparents and great-grandparents.
  • Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Marlene would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 9,083 baby girls got the name in 2025.
  • HistoryMarlene first shows up in US birth records in 1904, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 121 years since.
  • Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Marlenes? Head to Arizona, where it's the #632 girl name, its best showing of any state.
Newborn in a white knit cap
hello, little Marlene

US births per million girls, 1904–2025

03,0006,00019041920196020002025

Most popular states (2025)

AZ rank #632WI rank #700MN rank #731CA rank #800IN rank #815

Similar names

Girl name: MariaGirl name: MargotGirl name: MargaretGirl name: MaryGirl name: MarianaUnisex name: Marley
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).

About the name Marlene

Marlene is a girl name of Mexican origin meaning “blend of Maria and Magdalene”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It was most fashionable in the 1930s, which gives it a vintage, grandparent-chic charm, and it's now coming back into style. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.

Origin:Mexican names

More Mexican girl names

Questions about the name Marlene

What does the name Marlene mean?

Marlene means “blend of Maria and Magdalene” and comes from German.

What is the origin of the name Marlene?

Marlene is Mexican in origin, and its meaning traces back to German. Other Mexican names to consider are Olivia (“olive tree”), Emma (“whole, universal”), Amelia (“work, industrious”) and Mia (“possibly beloved”).

Is Marlene a boy or girl name?

Marlene is a girl name. In 2025, 177 US girls were named Marlene.

How popular is the name Marlene?

Marlene ranked #1,261 for US girls in 2025, given to 177 babies. Its best year was 1936, when it reached #39. Over the last five years it has climbed 298 places.

What should I know before naming my baby Marlene?

Marlene is a Mexican girl name meaning “blend of Maria and Magdalene”, with German roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.