"drop of the sea, bitter sea"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: German
Marlena
Pronunciation: [ m-ahrl-AYN-uh ]
Does Marlena flow with your last name?
Old World glamour with a timeless, continental glow
German
Polish
Slavic
English
Elegant
Vintage
Romantic
Classic
Sophisticated
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Meaning & Origin
"of Magdala"
Origin: Hebrew-Greek
Language: German
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The Story of Marlena
Marlena is a German and Slavic name created by blending Maria (from Hebrew Miriam, meaning drop of the sea or bitter sea) and Magdalena (from Mary Magdalene, place name from Magdala). The combination became famous through the German-American actress and singer Marlene Dietrich, who was born Marie Magdalene Dietrich and created the stage name Marlene by fusing her first and middle names. The form Marlena is the fuller, more graceful variant particularly popular in Poland and other Slavic countries.
Marlena gained international recognition largely through its association with Marlene Dietrich, the sultry cabaret icon of 1930s film. In Poland and Czech Republic, Marlena has remained a popular given name independent of the Dietrich association. In English-speaking countries, the name has seen a revival as parents rediscover old-world glamour names with continental flair.
Marlene Dietrich, one of the most glamorous and politically courageous figures of the 20th century, defined the name for generations. She defied Nazi Germany, became an American citizen, and entertained Allied troops during WWII. The song Lili Marleen, associated with the name Marlene, became an iconic WWII anthem beloved by soldiers on both sides.
Historical Record
Marlena first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 10,740 babies have been named Marlena in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marlena is past its peak , currently ranked #3,537 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Marlene Dietrich created her name by combining her birth names Marie and Magdalene
- The song Lili Marleen (featuring the name Marleen) was the most popular song of WWII, recorded in over 200 versions in dozens of languages
Marlena in Other Languages
Czech
Marlena
German
Marlene
Polish
Marlena
Russian
Марлена
Spanish
Marlena
Popularity Over Time
#3,537
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1978
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marlena
M
Marlene Dietrich
Actor
1901
German-American actress and singer, iconic film star known for The Blue Angel and Morocco
M
Marlena Evans Fictional
Other
Beloved fictional character from the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, played by Deidre Hall
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,537
- Total SSA Count
- 44
- Cultural Origins
- German Polish Slavic English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Marlee
Lena
Marla
Marly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, German heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, German heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marlena
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marlena
What does the name Marlena mean?
"drop of the sea, bitter sea" (from Hebrew). "of Magdala" (from Hebrew-Greek). Marlena is a German and Slavic name created by blending Maria (from Hebrew Miriam, meaning drop of the sea or bitter sea) and Magdalena (from Mary Magdalene, place name from Magdala). The combination became famous through the German-American actress and singer Marlene Dietrich, who was born Marie Magdalene Dietrich and created the stage name Marlene by fusing her first and middle names. The form Marlena is the fuller, more graceful variant particularly popular in Poland and other Slavic countries.
What is the origin of the name Marlena?
Marlena has Hebrew, Hebrew-Greek, German, Polish, Slavic, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "drop of the sea, bitter sea". In Hebrew-Greek, it means "of Magdala".
Is Marlena a boy or girl name?
Marlena is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Marlena?
Marlena is pronounced m-ahrl-AYN-uh.
How popular is the name Marlena?
Marlena is currently ranked #3537 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marlena?
Common nicknames for Marlena include Marlee, Lena, Marla, and Marly.
What are good middle names for Marlena?
Popular middle name pairings include Marlena Rose, Marlena Grace, Marlena Claire, Marlena Elise, Marlena Joy, Marlena Jane, and Marlena Louise.
What are good sibling names for Marlena?
Names that pair well with Marlena as siblings include Greta, Ingrid, Helga, Lena, Ilse, Wolfgang, and Heinrich.
How many syllables does Marlena have?
Marlena has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Marlena a common or rare name?
Marlena is an uncommon name, ranked #3537 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Marlena?
About the Name Marlena
Marlena is a girl name with German, Polish, Slavic, and English origins . The name means "drop of the sea, bitter sea" in Hebrew .
Marlena is currently ranked #3,537 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marlena has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-ahrl-AYN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Marlena include Marlee, Lena, Marla, and Marly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marlena include Marley, Marlee, Marlowe, Marleigh, Marlow . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis