How Many People Are Named Marlene?
Complete statistics for the name Marlene: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Marlene is a classic, old-school name with a rich history. About 83,636 people in the U.S. are named Marlene, and it's so rare that only 1 in 3,946 Americans shares this name. Most Marlenes are from the older generation, with 78% over 60.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life path number 5 is traditionally associated with freedom, adaptability, and a restless curiosity about the world. People connected to the number 5 are thought to crave variety and new experiences, making them adventurous and energetic by nature.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 72All 130,755 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1936Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Marlene Through the Generations
The name Marlene has a storied past, first peaking in 1936 with 5,354 births. Today, only 83,636 people in the U.S. carry this name, making it quite rare. The stark contrast between its all-time high and current numbers, 130,755 versus 83,636, highlights its decline. The majority of Marlenes are older, with 78% over 60, indicating a strong association with previous generations. This trend is further underscored by the average age of 72, suggesting a legacy passed down through families.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Marlene
Marlene is a German feminine given name. It is derived from Maria combined with Magdalene. It was popularized by actress and singer Marlene Dietrich. It also came into wider use in the 1940s due to the popular song Lili Marlene. The traditional German pronunciation is mar-LAY-nuh. The North American English pronunciation of the name is mar-LEEN. Phonetic variants include Marlena and Marleen.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Marlene's German roots
📄 About the Name Marlene
How Many People Have the Name Marlene?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 83,636 people in the United States currently share the name Marlene. That works out to roughly 1 in every 3,946 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Marlene a Common or Rare Name?
Marlene is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Marlene Mean?
Marlene means "wished-for child, of Magdala" and comes from German origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Marlene in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Marlene Most Popular?
The name Marlene reached peak popularity in 1936, with 5,354 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Marlene?
Approximately 83,636 people named Marlene live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 130,755. That works out to roughly 1 in 3,946 Americans.
Is Marlene a rare name?
Marlene is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 3,946 Americans has this name.
What does the name Marlene mean?
Marlene means "wished-for child, of Magdala" and comes from German origins.
Is Marlene more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Marlene are male and 100% are female.
When was Marlene most popular?
Marlene peaked in 1936 with 5,354 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.