Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Marlena
GirlGerman· “blend of Maria and Magdalena”
- Meaning
- blend of Maria and Magdalena
- Origin
- German
- Pronunciation
- mahr-LAY-nuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,983
- US babies 2025
- 56
- Best rank
- #430 (1978)
- Peak year
- 1978
Meaning and origin of Marlena
Marlena is a German name that means “blend of Maria and Magdalena”.
Marlena is a form of Marlene, a German name created by blending Maria and Magdalena, honoring Mary Magdalene. Marlene Dietrich, the German-born film star, made the name famous in the twentieth century. Marlena adds an -a ending that feels more romantic and is also used in Polish and Italian. It is typically pronounced mahr-LAY-nuh, though mahr-LEE-nuh is also common. The name has a vintage glamour and pairs well with classic middle names. Lena, tucked inside the name, is the most natural short form.
Popularity over time
Marlena first appears in US Social Security records in 1925. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 30 different years, starting in 1952. Its best national rank was #430 in 1978, the same year it reached its highest count of 470 babies. In 2025, 56 babies were named Marlena, and it ranked #2,983 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1,128 in 1950, #611 in 1980, #1,260 in 2000, #2,555 in 2010, and #2,983 in 2025. Of the 11,321 US girls named Marlena since records began, 21% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 2,166 babies. Since 2010, 1,141 more have been named Marlena.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sommer, Latosha, Aja, Maricela, and Karrie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marlena ranked highest in Pennsylvania, New York, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #982 | 9 |
| New York | #1770 | 7 |
| California | #2678 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Marlena is usually pronounced mahr-LAY-nuh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Marlena
A few middle names that flow with Marlena: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marlena
Similar names
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Lists that include Marlena
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marlena mean?
Marlena is a German name that means “blend of Maria and Magdalena”.
What is the origin of the name Marlena?
Marlena has German roots. Marlena is a form of Marlene, a German name created by blending Maria and Magdalena, honoring Mary Magdalene.
Is Marlena a popular name?
Not especially. Marlena ranked #2,983 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Marlena a boy or girl name?
Marlena is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Marlena?
Marlena is usually pronounced mahr-LAY-nuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings