Darlene (given name)

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Darlene
Pronunciationdar-LEAN
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/nameEnglish
Meaningdarling
Other names
Related namesDarla

Darlene, also spelled Darleen or Darline, is an English feminine given name coined in the late 19th century. It is based on the term of endearment darling in combination with the diminutive suffix -een, -ene, or -ine in use in other names popular during that period such as Arleen, Charlene, Claudine, Irene, Jolene, Josephine, Marlene, Maxine, and Pauline. The greatest use of the name has been in North America. Darla is a variant.[1] [2]

Usage[edit]

The name first appeared on the list of 1,000 most used names for newborn girls in the United States in 1909 and remained among the top 1,000 names there until 2004, after which it declined in use. It was at the height of popularity between 1933 and 1966, when it was among the 100 most used names for American girls. There were 107 newborn American girls who were given the name Darlene in 2022. It was among the top 100 names for newborn girls in Canada between 1943 and 1973. It was among the top 1,000 names for newborn girls in Brazil between 1950 and 2000.[3] [4]

Notable people[edit]

In fiction[edit]

  • Darlene Connor is a fictional character from the television sitcom Roseanne
  • Darlene is one of the characters in the play and film Hurlyburly
  • Darlene Spritzer is a fictional waitress from the DC Comics Lobo comic books
  • Darlene Taylor is a fictional character from the soap opera Hollyoaks
  • Darlene Alderson is one of the characters from the television series Mr. Robot

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Hanks, Patrick; Hardcastle, Kate; Hodges, Flavia (2006). Oxford Dictionary of First Names. Oxford University Press. p. 60. ISBN 0-19-861060-2.
  2. ^ Wattenberg, Laura (3 May 2023). "Today It's Blessyn, A Century Ago It Was ..." namerology.com. Namerology. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Beyond the top 1,000". ssa.gov. United States Social Security Administration. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  4. ^ Campbell, Mike. "Darlene". behindthename.com. Behind the Name. Retrieved 30 October 2023.