Girl · 190th of 19,264
Charlene
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
134,011
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1952
Peak Popularity Year
3,557
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Charlene stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Charlene is a name of French origin, derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man'. It evolved through historical forms such as Charles and is recognized as a feminine variant. The name has gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in the United States. While it holds no biblical relevance, it is associated with elegance and femininity. Notable people with this name include Charlene of Monaco and Charlene Tilton.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ʃɑːrˈliːn/
Origin
French
Etymology
Charlene is a diminutive form of the name Charles, which is derived from the Germanic name Karl, meaning 'free man'. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world through the influence of French culture.
Meaning
free man
Language Evolution
Karl (Germanic), Charles (Old French), Charlene (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Charlene became popular in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly in the United States, as a feminine form of Charles.
Variants & Derivatives
Charlie, Charley, Sharlene
Modern Popularity & Image
Charlene is viewed as a classic yet modern name, often associated with elegance and femininity. It has seen fluctuating popularity in recent years.
Famous People
Charlene of Monaco, Charlene Choi, Charlene Tilton
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 3,557 peak births in 1952
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 11 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 16 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 11 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3152nd of 6773 | 106 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2871st of 7552 | 156 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4449th of 10718 | 86 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 9851st of 16616 | 34 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 385th of 9107 | 5,199 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 149th of 9204 | 28,497 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 136th of 12526 | 60,085 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 190th of 19264 | 24,415 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 371st of 27321 | 10,965 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1238th of 35406 | 2,912 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1712th of 30306 | 1,505 |