♀ Name Marlene – beautiful

Origin:	Hebrew, Greek
Meaning:	of Magdala, torch, beautiful, light, bright, shining, sea of bitterness, drop of the sea, star of the sea, rebelliousness, exalted one, wished for child
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Marlene is a name formed from Maria and Lena, and it is also connected to the double name Maria Magdalena. Its meanings reflect both Mary Magdalene and the Hebrew roots of Maria.

Where does the name Marlene come from?

Marlene is a combination of the names Maria and Lena, but it is also derived from the double name Maria Magdalena.

What does the name Marlene mean?

Marlene means “of Magdala”, “torch”, “beautiful”, “light”, “bright”, and “shining” (from Magdalena and Lena), and “sea of bitterness”, “drop of the sea”, “star of the sea”, “rebelliousness”, “exalted one”, and “wished for child” (from Maria).

Word composition

• Ancient Greek “helénē” (ἑλένη) = torch
• Ancient Greek “hēlios” (ἥλιος) = sun, sunlight, sunshine
• Ancient Greek “selēnē” (σελήνη) = moon
• Egyptian “mry” = beloved
• Hebrew “mar” (מַר) = drop
• Hebrew “mará” (מָרָה) = bitterness
• Hebrew “yam” (יָם) = sea
• Hebrew “maor” (מאור) = star, light
• Hebrew “róm” (רוֹם) = height
• Hebrew “meri/מְרִי” = “rebelliousness

Pronunciation of Marlene

Famous people with this name

• Marlene Dietrich (*1901 in Berlin; † 1992) was an actress and singer
• Marlene Dumas (*1953 in Cape Town) is an artist and painter
• Marlene Hagge (*1934 in Eureka, South Dakota; † 2023) was a professional golfer
• Marlene Ahrens (*1933 in Concepción; † 2020) was a javelin thrower and Olympic medalist
• Marlene Charell (*1954 in Paris) is a television presenter, actress and singer
• Marlene Favela (*1976 in Santiago Papasquiaro) is an actress
• Marlene Knaus (*1956 in Caracas) is a former model
• Marlene Forte (*1961 in Havana) is an actress
• Marlene Mourreau (*1969 in Neuilly-sur-Seine) is a television presenter, actress and singer
• Marlene Schiappa (*1982 in Paris) is a politician and writer

Variants

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Author: Jelka Batteiger

Last updated: 6/9/2026