Carlene is a feminine given name derived from the French masculine name Charles, which itself originated from the Germanic name Karl. The name Karl is composed of the elements "karl" meaning "man" and "hruod" meaning "army" or "warrior". Carlene is a more modern variation that emerged in the late 19th century as a feminized form of Charles.

The name Carlene gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It is believed to have been influenced by the French feminine form Charlene, which was more commonly used at the time.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Carlene can be found in the 1880 United States Census, where it was listed as a given name for a small number of individuals. However, it did not gain widespread popularity until the mid-20th century.

Historically, there are a few notable individuals who bore the name Carlene. One of the earliest was Carlene Carter, an American singer-songwriter born in 1955, who was part of the famous Carter Family musical dynasty. Another notable Carlene was Carlene Brill, an American singer and actress born in 1932, who appeared in several Broadway productions and television shows.

Carlene Arrington, born in 1932, was an American politician who served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1973 to 1983. Carlene Tinker, born in 1928, was an American author and educator who wrote several children's books and worked as a professor of English at various universities.

Another notable Carlene was Carlene Lara, born in 1932, an American businesswoman and philanthropist who co-founded the Lara Vineyards in California and was actively involved in various charitable organizations.

While the name Carlene has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been consistently used as a feminine given name, particularly in the United States, Canada, and parts of Western Europe. Its roots in the Germanic name Karl and its connection to the French name Charles have given it a rich historical lineage.