The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Merlene!

Comments and insights on the name Merlene: | Edit

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Personal experiences with the name Merlene: | Edit

Merlene is my Grandmothers name, on my fathers side. She is a lovely woman, and her unique name suits her unique personality

Nicknames for Merlene: | Edit

Merl, Lena

Meanings and history of the name Merlene: | Edit

Its source is a Hebrew expression meaning "Person from Magdala."

Magdala was a village on the Sea of Galilee, supposedly the home of the character in the Christian scriptures known as Mary of Magdala, or Mary Magdalene.

Though the town had an unsavory reputation, there is no scriptural support for Mary's identification as a courtesan who forsook her sinful ways to follow Jesus of Nazareth. However, this is her place in Christian tradition, and she stands as a symbol of the redeemable sinner, accepted and forgiven regardless of her sordid past.

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Merlene in song, story & screen: | Edit

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