Magdalene vs Marlene

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Magdalene

Girl #1,415 Most Popular 4 Syllables

Meaning

"from Magdala, tower"

Origin: Aramaic/Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Christian European English German Polish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,415
Total SSA Count
157
Syllables
4
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Maggie, Maddie, Lena

Playground Safety Score

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Marlene

Girl #1,555 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"wished-for child"

Origin: Hebrew (via Maria)

Cultural Roots

German French American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,555
Total SSA Count
137
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Marle, Lena, Marli

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Marlene →

Popularity Comparison

Magdalene Rank #1,415
Marlene Rank #1,555

Magdalene is more popular, ranked #1415 vs #1555 for Marlene.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Magdalene ___

  • Magdalene Rose
  • Magdalene Claire
  • Magdalene Grace
  • Magdalene Ann
  • Magdalene Frances
  • Magdalene Jane

Marlene ___

  • Marlene Grace
  • Marlene Louise
  • Marlene Anne
  • Marlene Claire
  • Marlene Rose
  • Marlene Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Magdalene

Josephine Miriam Beatrice Cecilia Evangeline

If you choose Marlene

Ingrid Gertrude Hildegard Claus Heinrich

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Magdalene or Marlene more popular?

Magdalene is more popular, ranked #1415 compared to Marlene at #1555 in the United States.

What do Magdalene and Marlene mean?

Magdalene means "from Magdala, tower" (Aramaic/Hebrew origin). Marlene means "wished-for child" (Hebrew (via Maria) origin).

Are Magdalene and Marlene boy or girl names?

Magdalene is primarily a girl name. Marlene is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Magdalene ← Full profile: Marlene Browse all baby names