Karlene: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	24	2	–	#3,432
1920s	87	9	+262%	#2,329
1930s	408	41	+369%	#786
1940s	741	74	+82%	#869
1950s	853	85	+15%	#1,021
1960s	798	80	-6%	#1,092
1970s	372	37	-53%	#1,666
1980s	344	34	-8%	#2,491
1990s	255	26	-26%	#2,742
2000s	176	18	-31%	#4,377
2010s	71	7	-60%	#8,539
2020s (to 2025)	38	6	-11%	#9,232

Decade

Girls

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#3,432

1920s

+262%

#2,329

1930s

408

+369%

#786

1940s

741

+82%

#869

1950s

853

+15%

#1,021

1960s

798

-6%

#1,092

1970s

372

-53%

#1,666

1980s

344

-8%

#2,491

1990s

255

-26%

#2,742

2000s

176

-31%

#4,377

2010s

-60%

#8,539

2020s (to 2025)

-11%

#9,232

The story of Karlene

Karlene is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1913, 4,167 American babies have been named Karlene. Its peak came in 1959, when 104 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Karlene stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Karlene?

The median living Karlene is about 62 years old; half are between 44 and 72. An estimated 3,300 people named Karlene are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Karlene year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank
2025	–	–
2024	7	#12,782
2023	8	#11,693
2022	5	#16,480
2021	7	#12,836
2020	11	#9,232
2019	5	#16,746
2018	5	#16,854
2017	13	#8,539
2016	8	#12,305
2015	–	–
2014	6	#15,583
2013	11	#9,910
2012	9	#11,733
2011	5	#18,160
2010	9	#11,742
2009	10	#11,073
2008	18	#7,221
2007	10	#11,228
2006	17	#7,309
2005	10	#10,517
2004	23	#5,456
2003	16	#7,048
2002	22	#5,353
2001	28	#4,377
2000	22	#5,229
1995	32	#3,452
1990	16	#5,674
1985	39	#2,512
1980	37	#2,558
1975	38	#2,215
1970	56	#1,666
1965	70	#1,294
1960	94	#1,119
1955	76	#1,148
1950	75	#1,067
1945	60	#997
1940	64	#898
1935	35	#1,213
1930	11	#2,774
1925	5	#5,390
1920	6	#4,661
1915	7	#3,616
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Karlene, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Karlene?

The median living Karlene is about 62 years old. Half of all living Karlenes are between 44 and 72 years old.

How many people named Karlene are alive today?

An estimated 3,300 people named Karlene are alive in the United States, based on 4,167 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Karlene in 2025?

Karlene did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Karlene?

4,167 babies have been named Karlene in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Karlene most popular?

Karlene peaked in 1959, when 104 newborns received the name.

Is Karlene a boy or girl name?

Karlene is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Karlene rising or falling?

Karlene has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Karlene

Karlene popularity over time

The story of Karlene

How old are people named Karlene?

Karlene year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Karlene