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Marline
Pronounced mahr-LEEN /mษหrหliหn/High
Meaning: Marline is a spelling variant of Marlene, the contracted German pairing of Maria and Magdalene popularized by actress Marlene Dietrich. The -ine ending softens it slightly while keeping the parent's meaning.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. ยท SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880โpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Marline is one of several respellings of Marlene, the German fusion of Maria and Magdalene that swept into English through the fame of Marlene Dietrich in the nineteen-thirties. The -ine tail nudges it toward names like Pauline and Nadine.
A genuine early-1900s name, Marline was never common โ only a few dozen girls a year even at its best โ and it faded as the Marlene fashion cooled after mid-century. Someone bearing it is likely a grandmother today, and while vintage names are returning, Marline itself remains firmly of its era.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Marline mean?
Marline is a spelling variant of Marlene, a German blend of Maria and Magdalene made famous by Marlene Dietrich.
How do you pronounce Marline?
It's said mahr-LEEN, two syllables with the stress on the second.
Is Marline a boy or girl name?
Marline is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Marline?
Marline has always been rare in the U.S., an uncommon spelling of Marlene from the middle of the twentieth century.