Merlene
Every Merlene since 1913 — 2,379 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merlene
Merlene is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1913, 2,379 American babies have been named Merlene. Its peak came in 1940, when 93 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1940s.
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 Merlene stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merlene year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 12 | #4,673 |
| 1965 | 19 | #2,892 |
| 1960 | 30 | #2,133 |
| 1955 | 49 | #1,456 |
| 1950 | 49 | #1,313 |
| 1945 | 57 | #1,027 |
| 1940 | 93 | #723 |
| 1935 | 79 | #763 |
| 1930 | 42 | #1,156 |
| 1925 | 25 | #1,732 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2,434 |
| 1915 | 7 | #3,676 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Merlene
- Merlene Ottey Athlete · b. 1960
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Merlene in 2025?
Merlene did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Merlene?
2,379 babies have been named Merlene in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merlene most popular?
Merlene peaked in 1940, when 93 newborns received the name.
Is Merlene a boy or girl name?
Merlene is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Merlene rising or falling?
Merlene has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Merlene?
Well-known people named Merlene include Merlene Ottey (athlete).