Find out how popular the first name Earlene has been for the last 34 years (from 1974 to 2007) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Earlene by gender

Based on the last 34 years of data, Earlene is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2007, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Earlene.

The history of the first name Earlene

The name Earlene is a relatively modern English given name that emerged in the early 20th century. It is a combination of the English words "earl" and "lene," with "earl" meaning a British nobleman and "lene" being a variant of the name Lena or Lina, which has roots in various European languages such as Greek and Latin.

While the exact origin of the name Earlene is unclear, it is believed to have been created as a feminine form of the name Earl, possibly as a way to give a more feminine and modern touch to an older, traditionally masculine name. The name became popular in the United States during the early to mid-20th century, particularly in the Southern states.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Earlene can be found in the 1920 United States Census, where a few individuals were listed with this given name. However, it was not until the 1930s and 1940s that the name gained more widespread popularity.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Earlene. One of the most famous was Earlene Brown (1909-1975), an American singer and actress who performed on Broadway and in Hollywood films during the 1930s and 1940s. Another notable figure was Earlene Fowler (1945-2023), an American mystery writer best known for her Benni Harper series of novels.

Other notable individuals with the name Earlene include Earlene Risinger (1940-2018), an American politician who served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and Earlene Hubbard (1933-2011), an American novelist and short story writer known for her works exploring themes of race and identity.

Earlene Hawley (1924-2015) was an American actress and singer who appeared in several Hollywood films and television shows during the 1940s and 1950s, while Earlene Newell (1929-2018) was a renowned American jazz singer and composer who performed with some of the most popular big bands of the mid-20th century.

While the name Earlene may have waned in popularity in recent decades, it remains a unique and distinctive given name with a rich history and cultural significance, particularly in the United States during the early to mid-20th century.

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 Earlene was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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