Find out how popular the first name Calene has been for the last 19 years (from 1976 to 1994) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Calene by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Calene is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1994, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Calene.

The history of the first name Calene

The name Calene is a relatively obscure one with uncertain origins. It may have its roots in the ancient Greek language, derived from the word "kallos," meaning beauty or beautiful. Some historians suggest it could be a variation of the more common name Callie or Calia, which is believed to have originated from the Greek word "kalos," also meaning beautiful.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Calene can be found in ancient Roman texts from the 1st century AD. It appears to have been the name of a slave girl mentioned briefly in Petronius' satirical work, the Satyricon. However, beyond this fleeting reference, there is little historical record of the name's usage during ancient times.

The name Calene seemingly disappeared from written records for several centuries until resurfacing in the Middle Ages. In the 12th century, a noblewoman named Calene de Montfort was mentioned in a French chronicle as the wife of a knight who fought in the Crusades. This suggests that the name may have had some limited usage among the aristocracy of medieval Europe.

It wasn't until the 16th century that the name gained a bit more prominence, at least in literary circles. Calene was the name of a character in the pastoral romance "Arcadia" by the English writer Sir Philip Sidney, published in 1590. Sidney's work popularized the name among the educated classes of the time, though it remained relatively uncommon.

One of the earliest recorded real-life individuals with the name Calene was an English artist born in 1678 named Calene Calvert. She gained some renown for her still-life paintings and portraits, though her work has largely been overshadowed by her more famous contemporaries.

Another notable figure with the name Calene was a French botanist and explorer who lived from 1733 to 1810. Calene de L'Estrées was one of the first European women to study and document the flora of the Caribbean islands, making significant contributions to the field of botany.

While the name Calene has never been particularly widespread, it has maintained a niche presence throughout history, appearing here and there in various contexts. Its roots may be shrouded in mystery, but its unique sound and possible connection to ancient ideals of beauty have ensured its continued, if limited, usage over the centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Calene was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Calene, please contact us.

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