Charlene is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the French word "charlemagne," which means "Charles the king" or "strong and bold king." The name Charlene was popularized in the English-speaking world by actress Charlene Holt, who played the role of Charlene on the television soap opera "The Young and the Restless" from 1973 to 1981. However, its use as a given name predates this period and can be found among French families throughout history. Today, Charlene remains a popular choice for parents seeking a unique yet timeless name for their daughters.
The name Charlene saw a significant increase in popularity from the late 19th century onwards, with the first notable spike occurring around 1915. The highest number of births recorded was in 1927, with 833 babies named Charlene. However, this peak was short-lived as the popularity of the name began to decline in the following decades. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the number of births had dropped significantly, reaching a low point of 1206 in 1973. Since then, the name has continued to decline in popularity, with fewer than 500 babies named Charlene each year from 1986 onwards. In recent years, the number of births has stabilized at around 100-150 per year.