According to the U.S. baby name data, the name Carlene achieved its highest rankings in the late 1930s and early 1940s. But it was given to the largest number of babies in the 1950s, and reached peak usage in 1955 specifically:
- 1957: 342 baby girls named Carlene [rank: 515th]
- 1956: 301 baby girls named Carlene [rank: 541st]
- 1955: 370 baby girls named Carlene [rank: 473rd]
- 1954: 302 baby girls named Carlene [rank: 511th]
- 1953: 339 baby girls named Carlene [rank: 460th]
Why?
Likely because of beauty queen Carlene King Johnson, who was crowned Miss USA 1955 in Long Beach, California, that July.
Soon after winning, Carlene — a 22-year-old jewelry designer from Rutland, Vermont — participated in the Miss Universe pageant, which was also held in Long Beach. She advanced to the semi-finals, but ultimately lost to Hillevi Rombin of Sweden.
What are your thoughts on the baby name Carlene? Would you use it?
Sources:
- Carlene King Johnson – Wikipedia
- Miss Universe 1955 – Wikipedia
- Bacon, James. “Miss Vermont Named Miss U.S.A.” Boston Globe 21 Jul 1955: 1.
- SSA
Image: Carlene Johnson combing hair (public domain)
[Latest update: Sept. 2024]