Girl Name · Greek Origin
Marlena
Marlena — a girl name from the Greek tradition — is an uncommon, standout choice. Its meaning, "Of Magdala", anchors the name in something deeper than sound alone. If Marlana is on your shortlist, Marlena belongs in the same conversation.
Marlena meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Of Magdala
Origin: Greek naming roots help connect Marlena to related Greek baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Marlena as M·A·R·L·E·N·A, with 7 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Marlena is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Marlena variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Marlenaa, Marlenae, Marlenay, Marlen.
- Nicknames: Marl and M.
- Middle names: Pair Marlena with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Marlena middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Marlana, Mariaelena, Marilyn, Marlene, Marleen — full picks on the sibling names for Marlena guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Marlena? Browse our names like Marlena guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Marlena
What does the name Marlena mean?
Marlena means "Of Magdala" and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of Marlena?
Marlena originates in Greek naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Marlena?
Marlena has 7 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Marlena a boy's or girl's name?
Marlena is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Marlena in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Marlena sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Marlena?
Names that share Marlena's sound and style include Marlana, Mariaelena, Marilyn, Marlene, Marleen.
What middle names pair well with Marlena?
Good middle-name fits for Marlena pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Marlena is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Marlena is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Marlena?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Marlena share its rhythm without rhyming — Marlana, Mariaelena, Marilyn all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.