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Home › Baby Names Directory › Orlene

Orlene

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Orlene

Pronounced or-LEEN /ɔrˈliːn/Medium

Meaning: Orlene is an early-American girl's name most plausibly built on the French or, 'gold,' with the fashionable -lene ending, or reshaped from the Irish Orla, 'golden princess.' Both threads point toward 'gold,' though the exact route is uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: Orlene is an American girl's name likely tied to French or, 'gold,' or to Orla. A rare early-1900s pick (said or-LEEN).
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Origin LowEnglish, French
MeaningOrlene is an early-American girl's name most plausibly built on the French or, 'gold,' with the fashionable -lene ending, or reshaped from the Irish Orla, 'golden princess.' Both threads point toward 'gold,' though the exact route is uncertain.
U.S. rank (1971)#9224 ↘ Falling
1971 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 402

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192119121971

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Orlene appears in United States records from around 1912, a rare girl's name most plausibly joining the French or, 'gold,' to the popular -lene ending, or reshaping the Irish Orla. The routes are uncertain but lean toward 'gold.' It was never common, given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its early-1920s high.

A girl named Orlene then would be a great-grandmother today, and the name has a soft, melodic, early-century ring. It has not revived, though its -lene sound echoes mid-century favorites like Darlene and Arlene.

Did you know? Orlene may be gilded twice over: whether it grew from the French or or the Irish Orla, both of its likeliest parents point back to the idea of gold.
Overall data confidence 35%
References - Orlene — Likely French 'or' + -lene, or from Orla; 'gold'; uncertain

Variations

OrlenaOrlaOrleen

Nicknames

OrlieLene

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Orlene…

Arlene— a like -lene girls' name in sound
Darlene— a same-family -lene vintage name
Orpha— a close Or- early-century name
Orva— another Or- girls' name of the period

Explore names like Orlene

By themeuncertainrarevintagefrench

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Orlene mean?

Its route is uncertain but leans toward 'gold,' from the French or or the Irish Orla, with the -lene ending.

How do you pronounce Orlene?

It's said or-LEEN /ɔrˈliːn/, two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Orlene a boy or girl name?

Orlene is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Orlene?

It was always rare, an early-twentieth-century name given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its peak.

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