The name Jarlene is a modern anglicized variation of the Old Norse name Jarleinn, which is derived from the words "jarl" meaning "earl" or "chieftain" and "einn" meaning "one" or "single". It was a popular name among the Vikings and Scandinavian peoples during the 9th to 11th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Jarlene can be traced back to a Viking settlement in what is now modern-day Yorkshire, England, in the late 10th century. It is believed that a chieftain or earl named Jarleinn governed the settlement during this time, though little is known about his life or deeds.

In the following centuries, the name Jarlene appeared sporadically in various historical records and texts throughout Scandinavia and the British Isles. One notable individual bearing this name was Jarlene of Götaland, a Swedish noblewoman and landowner who lived in the 13th century.

During the Renaissance period, the name Jarlene gained some popularity among the aristocracy in parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and the Low Countries. One famous bearer of the name was Jarlene von Hohenzollern (1512-1580), a German noblewoman and countess who played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation.

Another notable individual named Jarlene was Jarlene Eriksdotter (1673-1745), a Swedish businesswoman and shipowner who became one of the wealthiest and most influential women in Sweden during the early 18th century.

As the name Jarlene spread beyond its Scandinavian origins, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Jarleine, Jarlene, and Jarlyne. One of the earliest recorded instances of the anglicized spelling "Jarlene" dates back to the late 19th century in parts of the United States, where it was likely adopted by immigrants from Scandinavia or Germany.