Carlene
A 20th-century coinage from Carl and the ending -ene, -lene, as in Marlene and Charlene.
Every Carlene since 1895 — 15,225 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Carlene
Carlene is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #15,373 in 2025 with 5 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1895, 15,225 American babies have been named Carlene. Its peak came in 1955, when 370 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Carlene stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Carlene year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | #15,373 |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,551 |
| 2023 | 7 | #12,399 |
| 2022 | 15 | #7,347 |
| 2021 | 9 | #10,454 |
| 2020 | 12 | #8,499 |
| 2019 | 14 | #7,819 |
| 2018 | 20 | #6,065 |
| 2017 | 16 | #7,163 |
| 2016 | 18 | #6,711 |
| 2015 | 17 | #7,039 |
| 2014 | 19 | #6,505 |
| 2013 | 18 | #6,792 |
| 2012 | 17 | #7,205 |
| 2011 | 23 | #5,772 |
| 2010 | 21 | #6,223 |
| 2009 | 32 | #4,592 |
| 2008 | 34 | #4,474 |
| 2007 | 31 | #4,712 |
| 2006 | 35 | #4,178 |
| 2005 | 38 | #3,817 |
| 2004 | 33 | #4,187 |
| 2003 | 38 | #3,673 |
| 2002 | 34 | #3,824 |
| 2001 | 49 | #2,931 |
| 2000 | 82 | #2,017 |
| 1995 | 59 | #2,251 |
| 1990 | 80 | #1,798 |
| 1985 | 77 | #1,564 |
| 1980 | 98 | #1,301 |
| 1975 | 86 | #1,292 |
| 1970 | 150 | #885 |
| 1965 | 239 | #632 |
| 1960 | 317 | #545 |
| 1955 | 370 | #473 |
| 1950 | 330 | #444 |
| 1945 | 257 | #443 |
| 1940 | 294 | #395 |
| 1935 | 234 | #424 |
| 1930 | 134 | #594 |
| 1925 | 67 | #907 |
| 1920 | 65 | #905 |
| 1915 | 42 | #1,025 |
| 1910 | 9 | #1,650 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,629 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Carlene mean?
A 20th-century coinage from Carl and the ending -ene, -lene, as in Marlene and Charlene.
How popular is the name Carlene in 2025?
Carlene ranked #15,373 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 5 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Carlene?
15,225 babies have been named Carlene in the United States since 1895, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Carlene most popular?
Carlene peaked in 1955, when 370 newborns received the name.
Is Carlene a boy or girl name?
Carlene is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Carlene rising or falling?
Carlene is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.