Mylene
A feminine name of French origin meaning "smooth and gentle".
Name Census estimates that about 796 living Americans carry the first name Mylene. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Mylene today is around 30 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mylene births was 2017 (38 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mylene. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
796
~ 1 in 430,596 Americans
Peak year
2017
38 babies that year
Average age
30
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,303
Tracked since 1950
Popularity
Mylene: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mylene from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 177 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Mylene remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mylene by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Mylene during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Mylenes live
Origin
Meaning and history of Mylene
The name Mylene is derived from the Greek word "Melos," meaning "song" or "melody." Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it was likely used as a name to symbolize the beauty and harmony of music.
In Greek mythology, there are references to the Muses, the nine goddesses who presided over the arts and sciences, including music. It is possible that the name Mylene was inspired by these deities, as it echoes the idea of a melodious and artistic spirit.
The earliest recorded examples of the name Mylene appear in historical documents from the Byzantine Empire, which spanned from the 4th to the 15th centuries AD. During this period, the name was likely used among Greek-speaking communities within the empire.
One of the most notable historical figures with the name Mylene was Mylene Farmer, a French singer, songwriter, and actress born in 1961. She is considered one of the most successful and influential female artists in France, known for her avant-garde music and performances.
Another famous Mylene was Mylene Demongeot, a French actress born in 1935. She rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in numerous films and television shows, particularly in comedic roles.
In the literary world, Mylene Fernández-Pintado is a Cuban-American author and poet born in 1964. She has published several collections of poetry and has received numerous awards for her work, including the Pushcart Prize.
Mylene Dinh-Robic is a French-Vietnamese filmmaker and artist born in 1976. Her work often explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the experiences of immigrant communities.
Mylene Campana is a French fashion designer and entrepreneur born in 1971. She founded the clothing brand Maje and has been recognized for her influence in the fashion industry.
While the name Mylene is not as common as some other names, it has a rich history and has been borne by notable figures across various fields, from music and film to literature and fashion. Its melodic sound and connection to the arts and creativity continue to make it a unique and captivating choice.
People
Mylene + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mylene as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Mylene: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mylene?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 796 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mylene going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 430,596 US residents.
Is Mylene a common name?
We classify Mylene as "Very Rare". It ranks above 88.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 852 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mylene most popular?
The single biggest year for Mylene was 2017, when 38 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mylene is about 30 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Mylene a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mylene in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.