Joleen

Joleen is a variant of Jolene, a feminine name used primarily in English-speaking countries. The name Jolene was formed from the short form Jo and the common name suffix lene, and it was created in the early 20th century.

Popularity and Cultural Significance

Jolene received a significant boost in popularity after the release of Dolly Parton's 1973 song "Jolene." The song, considered one of the most representative of the country genre, ranked number 217 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004 and number 63 in 2021. It was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards twice. The name Joleen, as a variant, shares this cultural resonance, though it is less common.

Etymology and Background

The element Jo is a short form of names such as Joan 1, Joanna, and Josephine. Joan itself is a medieval English form of Johanne (Old French for Iohanna, see Joanna), which is the feminine form of John. The name Joan was popular in the Middle Ages but declined in the 17th century, with a resurgence in the early 20th century. Historical figures bearing the name include Joan of Arc, ruling queens of Naples, Navarre, and Castile, and modern celebrities like Joan Crawford and Joan Rivers.

• Meaning: Variant of Jolene
• Origin: United States
• Type: First name (feminine)
• Usage regions: English-speaking countries