Marlena

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly bitter or rebellious
Origin: Hebrew — From Maria, the first part of this double name

Meaning: Woman from Magdala
Origin: Aramaic — From Magdalena, the second part of this double name

Girl's name · #2983 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Few names move less than Marlena — on the books since 1925, #2983 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 11,000 girls have carried the name since.

Across the states

See where Marlena is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 3 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Marlena ranks in other countries and regions.

#131 in Poland (2025) · #241 in Austria (2025) · #925 in Italy (2024) · #1,662 in Switzerland (2025) · #3,333 in England & Wales (2025) · #9,768 in Ecuador (2023) · #6,298 in France (2022) · #2,610 in Canada (2019) · #675 in Scotland (2016) · #2,128 in Sweden (2016) · #747 in Ireland (2013) · #373 in New Zealand (1979).

Famous Marlenas

Marlena Shaw — American jazz, blues and soul singer (1939–2024)
Marlena Fejzo — American medical scientist (born 1968)
Marlena Smalls — American educator and musician
Marlena Wesh — Haitian-American sprinter (born 1991)
Marlena Maląg — Polish politician (born 1964)

In stories & tradition

Marlena Evans — Fictional character from Days of Our Lives

What Marlenas become

Among 93 notable people named Marlena:

Sports figures appear 1.73× more often than among typical names — e.g. Marlena Zagoni, Romanian rower (1951–2025).

Similar names: Marlene · Elisha · Marta · Suzanna · Amberly · Annmarie

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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