Marlen is a unique and elegant given name of German origin, derived from the name 'Marlene'. It's composed of two elements: 'Mar', which means 'of the sea' in Old English, and 'len', derived from the Germanic word 'leon', meaning 'brave lion'. The name gained popularity during the mid-20th century, likely influenced by famous German actress Marlene Dietrich. Marlen is often associated with grace, charm, and a touch of mystery, but it's important to note that these characteristics are not universally applicable to all individuals bearing this name.
"The name Marlen experienced varied popularity over the century, peaking at 26 births in 1938 and dropping to as few as 5 births in several years post-2000."