Sharlene

Sharlene is a modern English name, primarily used in the 20th century. It emerged as a diminutive or variant of Charlene, which itself is a feminine form of Charles. The name Charles has Germanic roots, meaning 'free man'. Sharlene gained some popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the mid-20th century, as a more contemporary-sounding alternative to older names.

The 'lene' suffix is a common diminutive ending in English and other European languages, often used to create feminine forms or to add a softer, more endearing quality to a name. While Charlene has a more established history, Sharlene is a more recent coinage, reflecting a trend of creating new names by combining existing elements or altering spellings.