Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Shailene

Shailene

♀ Girl

Pronounced shuh-LEEN /ʃəˈliːn/Medium

Meaning: A contemporary American coinage: the Shay/Shai opening (Irish-flavoured, as in Shay and Shayla) with the -lene ending of Charlene and Marlene. It is best known from the actress Shailene Woodley. No inherited etymology; routes uncertain, which we note honestly.Low

In 30 seconds: Shailene joins a Shay- opening to a -lene ending (said 'shuh-LEEN') — a modern coinage, known from actress Shailene Woodley. Routes uncertain.
💕 Browse more names
Origin LowEnglish
MeaningA contemporary American coinage: the Shay/Shai opening (Irish-flavoured, as in Shay and Shayla) with the -lene ending of Charlene and Marlene. It is best known from the actress Shailene Woodley. No inherited etymology; routes uncertain, which we note honestly.
U.S. rank (2024)#14957 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 256

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201419912024

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

Shailene is a modern American coinage: the Shay/Shai opening, familiar from Shay and Shayla, fitted with the -lene ending of Charlene, Marlene and Darlene. Its visibility comes almost entirely from the actress Shailene Woodley. No inherited meaning stands behind it, and the routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'shuh-LEEN').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, modern, and softly ringing.

Did you know? Most people meet Shailene through the actress Shailene Woodley, but the name itself is a modern build — Shay plus -lene, on the pattern of Charlene and Marlene. No older source lies behind it, which we note honestly.
Overall data confidence 32%
References — Shailene — modern coinage; Shay- + -lene; visibility via actress Shailene Woodley; routes uncertain

Variations

ShayleneShailynShalene

Nicknames

ShaiLeenie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shailene…

Charlene— a like -lene name
Marlene— a like classic -lene pick
Shayla— a like Shay- opening for girls
Darlene— a like soft-ending choice

Explore names like Shailene

By themeuncertainmoderncoinedflowing

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Shailene mean?

Shailene is a modern coinage joining a Shay- opening to a -lene ending; it has no inherited meaning, and routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Shailene?

It's said shuh-LEEN /ʃəˈliːn/ — two beats, stress on the second.

Is Shailene a boy or girl name?

Shailene is a girl's name.

How popular is Shailene?

Shailene is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia