Earlene is a unique and distinctive name of American origin. It is believed to have been created by combining the elements "earl" meaning noble or warrior, and "-lene," which is a feminine suffix found in many names like Elaine, Irene, and Shirley. Therefore, Earlene could be interpreted as meaning "noble woman" or "warrior woman."
The name Earlene first appeared in the United States during the early 20th century. It is not clear who the first person to use this name was, but it gained some popularity in the mid-20th century, particularly among African American communities. However, Earlene has never been a very common name, making it still quite rare today.
Throughout history, there have been few notable figures named Earlene. One of the most well-known is Earlene Battle, who was an American gospel singer and songwriter. Born in 1937 in Alabama, Battle became a significant figure in the Southern Gospel music scene during the 1960s and 1970s.
In popular culture, Earlene has been used as a character name in various movies and TV shows, further contributing to its uniqueness and recognition. Despite its rarity, Earlene remains an appealing choice for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter. Its strong yet feminine sound and interesting origin story make it a memorable option that stands out from more common names.
The name Earlene has a fascinating history when it comes to its popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1901 and 2007, there were a total of 14,165 births recorded for this unique name.
Looking at the annual statistics, we can observe several trends. In the early 1900s, the number of babies named Earlene was quite low, with only 5 births in 1901 and remaining below 20 until 1914. However, the popularity of the name started to rise steadily from the mid-1910s onwards.
By 1920, there were 136 babies named Earlene, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. This upward trend continued throughout the 1920s and early 1930s, with the peak being reached in 1927 when 263 girls were given this name at birth.
Interestingly, the popularity of Earlene started to decline after its peak in the late 1920s. By the mid-1940s, the number of births had dropped significantly, with only 356 babies named Earlene in 1944 and 342 in 1945.
The name's popularity continued to fluctuate over the next few decades, with some years showing an increase in births while others indicated a decrease. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was another brief resurgence in popularity for Earlene, with around 20-30 babies being named Earlene each year.
However, since the mid-1980s, the name has fallen out of favor once again. In recent years, such as 1995 and 2007, there have been fewer than 15 births recorded for girls named Earlene each year in the United States.
In conclusion, while Earlene was a popular name in the early to mid-20th century, its popularity has declined significantly in recent decades. Despite this decrease in usage, it is still an uncommon and distinctive name that may appeal to parents looking for something unique for their daughter.