Marialena is a unique and beautiful feminine given name of Italian origin. It is composed of two elements: "Maria", which is derived from the Latin word "mare", meaning "sea", and "Lena" or "Elena", which is derived from the Greek word "helenos", meaning "torch" or "light". Therefore, Marialena can be interpreted as meaning "radiant sea".
The name Marialena has a rich history, with several notable figures throughout time sharing this name. One of the most famous Marialenas was Saint Marialena, also known as Saint Marina, who was a Christian martyr from the 3rd century. She is revered as the patron saint of cats and dogs, due to a legend in which she gave away her dowry to feed these animals when she saw them being beaten by their owners.
In Italy, Marialena has been used as a given name for centuries, often bestowed upon daughters born around the feast day of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on August 15th. This tradition has contributed to the name's enduring popularity in Italian-speaking regions.
Today, Marialena continues to be a beloved choice among parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughters. Its unique combination of strength and grace, reflected in its etymology, makes it an appealing option for those looking for a name that is both memorable and significant.
Based on the statistics provided, it appears that the name Marialena has been given to a total of 246 babies born in the United States over the years. The number of births per year varies significantly, with some years seeing as many as 11 babies named Marialena and others only 5.
The most popular years for the name were between 1995 and 2001, with a peak of 11 births in both 1995 and 1997. After that period, the number of births decreased significantly, but it has started to increase again recently, with 8 births in 2019 and 10 births in 2023.
Overall, while Marialena may not be one of the most common names, it is clear that it has been a popular choice for parents over the years. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in future years based on these statistics.