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Darlene Girl

Popularity: #839 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationDAR-leen / /ˈdɑːrliːn/

English; French

Meaning

English: darling; French: dear one

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Darlene is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century, deriving from a combination of the English word "darling," which denotes affection, and the suffix "-lene," a common diminutive ending in names. The term "darling" itself has roots in Middle English, stemming from the Old English "deorling," which means "beloved" or "dear one." This linguistic evolution reflects a transition from a term of endearment to a standalone name, showcasing the trend of creating feminine names from affectionate terms during this period.

Darlene gained prominence in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, coinciding with a broader cultural movement in America that favored unique and inventive names for girls. The name was popularized through various cultural mediums, including literature and music, which often featured characters or songs that embodied the qualities associated with the name. One notable milestone was the song "Darlene," recorded by several artists in the mid-20th century, which contributed to its recognition and appeal.

Culturally, Darlene has been associated with themes of love and affection, resonating with the nurturing qualities often attributed to femininity. The name's gentle sound and positive connotations have allowed it to endure in various contexts, from literature to popular culture. While diminutive forms such as Dar or Lene have emerged, they are less commonly used in historical contexts. Overall, Darlene reflects a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural significance, embodying the affectionate nature from which it derives.

Trend Summary

Darlene experienced peak popularity in the mid-20th century but has since declined in usage.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Dar
  • Darla

International Variants

Famous people named Darlene

Darlene Love is a singer and actress best known for her work with The Crystals, her solo career, and the song "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).".

Darlene Conley was an actress best known for her role as Sally Spectra on The Bold and the Beautiful.

Fictional characters named Darlene

Darlene is a fictional character from the TV series Roseanne. She is the rebellious daughter of the Conner family who often challenges her parents' views and expectations.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Darlene was first seen in the United States in 1896. Darlene has ranked as high as #97 nationally, which occurred in 1958, and has been most popular in California, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Darlene has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Darlene (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 37
57%
TX 11
17%
FL 6
9%
NY 6
9%
OH 5
8%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18965
18996
19019
19028
19038
190411
19056
19066
190712
190814
190918
191019
191120
191230
191350
191481
191589
1916131
1917170
1918181
1919229
1920275
1921384
1922423
1923493
1924638
1925741
1926875
19271,109
19281,186
19291,302
19301,543
19311,822
19322,020
19332,408
19342,605
19352,703
19362,962
19373,285
19383,321
19393,287
19403,120
19413,344
19423,517
19433,774
19443,532
19453,626
19464,662
19475,255
19484,692
19494,799
19504,830
19515,030
19525,427
19535,591
19545,510
19555,641
19566,919
19577,784
19588,279
19596,875
19606,092
19615,729
19625,107
19635,154
19645,173
19654,358
19663,728
19673,068
19682,658
19692,460
19702,175
19711,824
19721,416
19731,162
19741,019
1975905
1976827
1977772
1978718
1979667
1980653
1981640
1982583
1983527
1984459
1985471
1986451
1987441
1988482
1989477
1990506
1991466
1992378
1993370
1994344
1995272
1996283
1997249
1998256
1999224
2000273
2001266
2002251
2003203
2004236
2005225
2006244
2007223
2008236
2009214
2010208
2011196
2012217
2013187
2014171
2015160
2016144
2017146
2018134
2019122
2020110
2021103
2022108
2023108
2024111