Karlene is a unique and distinctive given name of Welsh origin. Its meaning is derived from the combination of two Welsh elements: "Carlo," which means "freeholder" or "strong," and "gen," which signifies "birth." Thus, Karlene can be interpreted as "born freeholder" or "born strong."
The name Karlene first emerged during the late 19th century in Wales. It is believed to have been created by combining popular Welsh male names with female suffixes to create new feminine forms. This practice was quite common among Welsh-speaking families at that time.
Despite its relatively recent origin, Karlene has gained some popularity over the years, particularly in Wales and other English-speaking countries. However, it remains a uncommon name, making those who bear it stand out from the crowd.
There are no notable historical figures or famous individuals named Karlene. As such, the name does not have any significant associations with specific events or persons throughout history. Instead, its appeal lies primarily in its unique sound and Welsh heritage.
The name Karlene has seen a varied history of usage over the years in the United States, as indicated by the birth statistics provided. Between 1913 and 1957, the number of births per year fluctuated between a low of 5 to a high of 104. During this period, the name's popularity seemed to grow steadily, with a noticeable spike in the late 1930s to mid-1940s, and another peak in the late 1950s.
However, starting from the early 1960s, there was a significant decline in the usage of the name Karlene. The number of births per year dropped below 100 and remained relatively low until the mid-1980s when it briefly rose again. After that, the popularity of the name Karlene continued to decrease, with fewer than 25 births per year recorded from the late 1980s onwards.
Despite this decline in recent decades, it is fascinating to note that the name Karlene has maintained a consistent presence throughout much of the 20th century and into the early 21st century. Since 1913, a total of 4160 babies have been named Karlene in the United States.
This data illustrates how naming trends can change over time and provides insight into the popularity of the name Karlene throughout different eras.