"bitter grace, beloved"
Origin: Hebrew-English blend
Language: English
Maylene
A sweet Southern vintage name from the golden era
English
American
Southern American
Vintage
Gentle
Southern
Whimsical
Classic
Meaning & Origin
"from the great one's lineage"
Origin: Latin-English blend
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
The Story of Maylene
Maylene is a blend name combining May (from the Roman goddess Maia, meaning great one, or from the Hebrew Miriam/Mary meaning beloved or bitter) with the feminine suffix -lene or -line (from Magdalene, meaning from Magdala). It follows the tradition of Southern American women's names that blend familiar sounds into melodious new forms, popular in the early-to-mid 20th century.
Maylene flourished in the American South during the 1920s-1950s, part of a tradition of soft, musical women's names. It has largely been dormant since but is beginning to attract parents seeking genuine vintage names that predate the current wave of revival names.
Maylene is part of the distinctly American tradition of Appalachian and Southern naming, where names are often created from familiar elements to form melodious new combinations. The -lene/-leen suffix family (Charlene, Darlene, Jolene, Raylene) is particularly associated with rural Southern American culture of the early 20th century.
Fun Facts
- Maylene and the Sons of Disaster was an American rock band from Birmingham, Alabama, keeping the name in modern cultural consciousness
- The -lene suffix was at peak popularity in American baby names from 1920-1955
- May as a name element connects to both the Roman goddess Maia and the month of spring
Maylene in Other Languages
English
Maylene
Spanish
Maylen
Popularity Over Time
#5,238
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1954
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Famous People Named Maylene
M
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Musician
2005
American rock band from Birmingham, Alabama known for their Southern metal style
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,238
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- English American Southern American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
May
Mae
Mayle
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Maylene fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Maylene →Compare Maylene with...
Same Origin Names (English)
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Maylene and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Maylene sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Frequently Asked Questions About Maylene
What does the name Maylene mean?
"bitter grace, beloved" (from Hebrew-English blend). "from the great one's lineage" (from Latin-English blend). Maylene is a blend name combining May (from the Roman goddess Maia, meaning great one, or from the Hebrew Miriam/Mary meaning beloved or bitter) with the feminine suffix -lene or -line (from Magdalene, meaning from Magdala). It follows the tradition of Southern American women's names that blend familiar sounds into melodious new forms, popular in the early-to-mid 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Maylene?
Maylene has Hebrew-English blend, Latin-English blend, English, American, and Southern American origins. In Hebrew-English blend, it means "bitter grace, beloved". In Latin-English blend, it means "from the great one's lineage".
Is Maylene a boy or girl name?
Maylene is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Maylene?
Maylene is currently ranked #5238 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maylene?
Common nicknames for Maylene include May, Mae, and Mayle.
What are good middle names for Maylene?
Popular middle name pairings include Maylene Rose, Maylene Grace, Maylene Ann, Maylene Claire, Maylene Joy, Maylene Faith, and Maylene June.
What are good sibling names for Maylene?
Names that pair well with Maylene as siblings include Darlene, Charlene, Jolene, Emmeline, Adeline, Rayleen, and Brielle.
How many syllables does Maylene have?
Maylene has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maylene a common or rare name?
Maylene is an uncommon name, ranked #5238 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Maylene
Maylene is a girl name with English, American, and Southern American origins . The name means "bitter grace, beloved" in Hebrew-English blend .
Maylene is currently ranked #5,238 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maylene has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Maylene include May, Mae, and Mayle. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maylene include Maylee, Maylin, Mayla, Maylani, Mayli . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.