The name Darlene is a relatively modern English given name that emerged in the early 20th century. It is believed to be a combination of the names Darla and Arlene, both of which have separate roots and origins.

The first part, "Dar," is thought to be derived from the Old English word "deor," meaning "deer." This root is also found in names like Darcy and Daria. The second part, "lene," is believed to come from the German name Arlene, which itself is a variation of the name Arlen, meaning "little bear."

While the name Darlene does not have any direct historical references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its component parts have been present in various cultures for centuries. The earliest recorded use of the name Darlene itself dates back to the early 1900s in the United States.

One of the earliest notable individuals with the name Darlene was Darlene Harder, an American film actress born in 1921. She appeared in several movies in the 1940s and 1950s, including "The Big Punch" and "The Girl from Jones Beach."

Another famous Darlene was Darlene Love, an American singer and actress born in 1941. She was known for her work as a backing vocalist for popular artists like Elvis Presley and Dionne Warwick, as well as her solo hits like "He's a Rebel" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)."

Darlene Cates, an American actress born in 1947, is best remembered for her role as the mother in the 1993 film "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." Despite having a relatively short acting career, her performance in that movie was widely acclaimed.

In the world of sports, Darlene Hardick was a Canadian figure skater born in 1951. She won several national championships and represented Canada at the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympics.

Lastly, Darlene Zschech is an Australian Pentecostal Christian worship leader and singer-songwriter born in 1965. She has written many popular contemporary Christian music songs and has been a significant figure in the modern worship music movement.