Marlen

English variation of Magdalen
"high tower or woman from Magdala"

Marlen Origin and Meaning

The name Marlen is a girl's name.

Marlen is a feminine name with multiple origins, functioning as a contracted form of Marlene (itself derived from Maria Magdalene) or as a variant of Marlin. In Slavic languages, particularly Russian, it gained popularity during the Soviet era as an ideological name created from the components 'Marx' and 'Lenin.' In Western contexts, it's often seen as a more streamlined version of Marlene, made famous by actress Marlene Dietrich. The name has a crisp, modern sound despite its historical roots. Marlen has maintained modest usage across various cultures but never reached widespread popularity in English-speaking countries. Its cross-cultural versatility and concise, gender-neutral sound appeal to contemporary parents seeking a name that's distinctive yet accessible.

# 998 in the US

Marlen Rank in US Top 1000

Popularity of the name Marlen

Famous People Named Marlen

  • Marlen Esparza
    American Olympian boxer