Luellen is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It consists of two distinct elements, 'Lue' and '-llen', with the latter being a common ending in various female names such as Ellen, Hellen, and Shellen. The name Luellen does not appear to have a specific meaning or derivation from other languages, suggesting it may be a creation or variant form of an existing name.
The name Luellen gained some popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century but has since become quite rare. According to the Social Security Administration's records, its peak popularity was in 1954 when it ranked at number 894 out of 1,000 names. However, by 2020, Luellen had fallen off the top 1000 list and was considered a rare name.
Luellen is often associated with the famous American actress Luella Gear (1876-1965), also known as 'Louise'. She was active in both stage and silent films during the early 20th century. It's unclear whether her unique first name inspired others to adopt it or if they simply shared a coincidental naming choice.
In literature, Luellen appears briefly in Harper Lee's classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" as one of the inhabitants of Maycomb County, Alabama. This literary mention may have contributed to the name's mid-century popularity but is unlikely to have had much impact on its current rarity.
Overall, Luellen is an uncommon and distinctive given name with American origins. Its unique spelling and sound make it memorable, while its rarity gives those who bear it a certain exclusivity. As of now, there are no known variants or related names for Luellen.
The name Luellen experienced significant popularity and variability throughout the period from 1900 to 1972, with a total of 690 births recorded during these years. The peak of its popularity occurred between 1946 and 1954, with an average of nearly 18 births per year in this decade alone. However, the name's usage saw substantial fluctuations over time, ranging from as many as 24 births in 1948 to as few as 5 births in 1972.