Girl · 556th of 30,306
Jolene
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
35,809
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1974
Peak Popularity Year
1,060
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Jolene stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Jolene is an English name that means pretty or youthful. It evolved from the name Joan and became popular in the 20th century, particularly after Dolly Parton's song. The name carries traits of beauty and grace, and it has no biblical relevance.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/dʒoʊˈliːn/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Jolene is a modern feminine name that is likely derived from the name 'Joan' combined with the suffix '-lene'. It gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly after the release of the song 'Jolene' by Dolly Parton in 1973.
Meaning
Pretty, youthful, or God is gracious.
Language Evolution
Joan, Joleen, Jolene
Historical Usage
Jolene became widely recognized in the 1970s due to the hit song by Dolly Parton, which contributed significantly to its popularity.
Variants & Derivatives
Joleen, Jo, Lena
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Jolene is perceived as a charming and graceful name, often associated with beauty and femininity.
Famous People
Jolene Blalock, Jolene Anderson
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
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,060 peak births in 1974
Geographic Spread
Popular across 48 US states, with strongest presence in Iowa
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 8 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 11 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 8 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8770th of 10718 | 12 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3432nd of 9107 | 126 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 619th of 9204 | 2,314 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 428th of 12526 | 8,735 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 401st of 19264 | 8,756 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 586th of 27321 | 5,923 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 1152nd of 35406 | 3,247 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 556th of 30306 | 6,696 |