Karlena is of German origin, derived from the name Carl (which means 'free man' or 'strong'). The 'a' at the end adds a feminine touch to the otherwise masculine name. It gained popularity in the late 20th century and has since been used consistently but not excessively, making it an uncommon yet recognizable name.
"The name Karlena experienced significant popularity in the late 80s and early 90s, with peaks of 14 births in 1983 and 1992. However, it has been less common since then, with only a few years reaching double-digit figures."