Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Marlene
GirlGerman, Hebrew· “contraction of Maria Magdalene”
- Meaning
- contraction of Maria Magdalene
- Origin
- German, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- mahr-LEEN
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,268
- US babies 2025
- 177
- Best rank
- #39 (1935)
- Peak year
- 1936
Meaning and origin of Marlene
Marlene is a German and Hebrew name that means “contraction of Maria Magdalene”.
Marlene is a German contraction of Maria Magdalena, combining Maria and Magdalene, the name of the follower of Jesus from the town of Magdala. Actress Marlene Dietrich, born Marie Magdalene Dietrich, made the name famous around the world in the early twentieth century, and the wartime song Lili Marleen, whose title spelling differs, also added to its fame. Marlene was popular in the United States in the mid-twentieth century. In English it is usually said mahr-LEEN, while the German pronunciation is mahr-LAY-nuh. Marly and Lena are possible nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Marleen.
Popularity over time
Marlene first appears in US Social Security records in 1904. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 92 different years, starting in 1920. Its best national rank was #39 in 1935, and the most babies received it in 1936, when 5,332 were named Marlene. In 2025, 177 babies were named Marlene, and it ranked #1,268 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #986 in 1920, #112 in 1950, #479 in 1980, #513 in 2000, #901 in 2010, and #1,268 in 2025. Of the 130,573 US girls named Marlene since records began, 29% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 29,295 babies. Since 2010, 3,170 more have been named Marlene.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sylvia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marlene ranked highest in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | #666 | 10 |
| Wisconsin | #764 | 6 |
| Minnesota | #803 | 6 |
| California | #809 | 37 |
| Indiana | #888 | 7 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Marlene is usually pronounced mahr-LEEN, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-ne”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Marleen.
Middle names for Marlene
A few middle names that flow with Marlene: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marlene
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Lists that include Marlene
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marlene mean?
Marlene is a German and Hebrew name that means “contraction of Maria Magdalene”.
What is the origin of the name Marlene?
Marlene has German and Hebrew roots. Marlene is a German contraction of Maria Magdalena, combining Maria and Magdalene, the name of the follower of Jesus from the town of Magdala.
Is Marlene a popular name?
Not especially. Marlene ranked #1,268 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Marlene a boy or girl name?
Marlene is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Marlene?
Marlene is usually pronounced mahr-LEEN. 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