The baby name Karlene is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced kar-LEEN (IPA: /kɑrˈliːn/).
Karlene is English in Origin.
The baby name Karlene is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced kar-LEEN (IPA: /kɑrˈliːn/).
Karlene is English in Origin.
Karlene is a modern English feminine name formed by blending the Germanic root Karl/Carl with the midcentury -lene suffix seen in Arlene and Charlene. It can also be viewed as an elaboration of Karla/Carla. The ultimate source is Old High German karl, "free man," so Karlene carries the meaning "free person." The K spelling aligns with German and Scandinavian forms (Karl, Karla), while the -lene ending reflects American naming style of the 1930s-1960s.
Usage rose modestly in the United States during the mid-20th century and has since become rare, lending the name a vintage feel. Common variants include Karleen, Carlene, and Carleen; related forms are Karline/Carline and the shorter Karlie/Carli as nicknames. Internationally, the family connects to Carla/Karla and Caroline/Carolina, feminine derivatives of Karl/Charles. Parents choosing Karlene often appreciate its balance of familiar roots and distinctive cadence, along with a meaning tied to independence and freedom.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM | 0 | #75 | 13 | 3,714 | |
| JM | Girls | 0 | #95 | 218 | 7,507 |
| JP | Girls | 0 | #251 | 1 | 6,592 |
| Canada | Girls | 2001 | #284 | 5 | 2,435 |
| JM | Boys | 0 | #291 | 3 | 6,876 |
| JO | Girls | 0 | #339 | 1 | 7,570 |
| BR | 0 | #357 | 4 | 5,969 | |
| France | Girls | 1997 | #378 | 3 | 2,302 |
| PH | Boys | 0 | #406 | 3 | 11,440 |
| PH | Girls | 0 | #426 | 4 | 13,098 |
| PT | Girls | 0 | #470 | 2 | 7,952 |
| ZA | 0 | #473 | 2 | 14,421 | |
| PA | Girls | 0 | #517 | 2 | 9,861 |
| RU | Girls | 0 | #523 | 1 | 11,913 |
| KW | Girls | 0 | #560 | 2 | 19,177 |
| CR | Girls | 0 | #566 | 8 | 11,342 |
| AE | Girls | 0 | #595 | 3 | 20,968 |
| SG | Girls | 0 | #632 | 1 | 18,916 |
| HK | Girls | 0 | #650 | 1 | 16,104 |
| BO | Girls | 0 | #651 | 1 | 9,488 |
| BR | Boys | 0 | #785 | 1 | 12,213 |
| NG | Girls | 0 | #826 | 1 | 15,093 |
| BR | Girls | 0 | #843 | 99 | 12,708 |
| United States | Girls | 2024 | #910 | 7 | 8,487 |
| CL | Girls | 0 | #915 | 1 | 14,098 |
| PE | Girls | 0 | #1,009 | 2 | 14,861 |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #1,012 | 3 | 25,931 |
| MY | Girls | 0 | #1,071 | 2 | 24,821 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,113 | 29 | 25,928 |
| CO | Girls | 0 | #1,149 | 4 | 16,140 |
| MX | Girls | 0 | #1,267 | 1 | 17,781 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,691 | 1 | 28,008 |
Karlene is popular in 25 countries — most recent births per country:
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