Discover name insights instantly.

Uncover the origin, popularity, and more for any name.

Name Origin

Marlene is a feminine given name of German origin. It is a combination of the names Maria and Lena. Maria, a Hebrew name meaning 'bitterness' or 'beloved', has strong biblical ties. Lena is a diminutive of Helena, meaning 'light' or 'torch' in Greek.

germanfemininebiblicalhebrewmarialenahelenagreeklighttorch

Famous People

Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992)

Actress and Singer

  • Icon of the Weimar Republic
  • Starred in films like 'The Blue Angel' and 'Morocco'
  • Renowned for her sultry voice and androgynous style

Marlene Dumas (1953-)

Painter

  • Known for her figurative paintings often exploring themes of identity and race
  • Represented South Africa at the Venice Biennale in 1995

Similar Names