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It’s dated to the 60s and 70s. I prefer Darla.

It's a name that I've always loved; it sounds very melodic to my ears.

I think it's so sweet actually, but I do much prefer Darla.

I think it was super cute and spunky circa 1960. I doubt it's the type of name that would comeback.

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I'd probably think it was charming and vibrant (or idk, it kind of seems happy-go-lucky and benignly snarky, and the 1st color I associate is turquoise) for how dated it is if I saw it in a BA tomorrow but would also guess it was honoring.

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I've known a couple.

This message was edited 4/27/2024, 4:03 PM

Darlene was the name of my childhood friend's mother. She was a very petite and very softspoken Catholic lady with brown curls and blue eyes. She wore thick spectacles rimmed with wire and shaped like octagons. Born in the 40s. We lived in California.

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I think it sounds too much like "darling" to be appealing, and is now definitely geriatric, but it's not undignified the way that Darling is imo.
Another friend's mother was named Arlene, too. She was tall and gregarious and wore red lipstick. But the name is about as different as Madison is from Addison, or Britney from Whitney ... these 2 were maybe my first exposure to how trendy names get dated.

This message was edited 4/27/2024, 12:34 PM

I've known a few, don't really like it

Dated and don’t like it. I might have liked when it was popular.

This message was edited 4/27/2024, 11:08 AM

Not bad, but prefer Darla and other -lene names like Marlene and Charlene.

I think it’s lovely! I’ve never heard it in real life either.

Meh. I like Darla, I've known a few. Darlene is just - ugh.

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The big reason I like Darla is that my daughter had a wonderful occupational therapist with the name. The name brings up warm associations.

It's a charmingly retro confection—very sugary and fluffy. I prefer Darla, though.

This message was edited 4/27/2024, 7:23 AM

I prefer Darla because I prefer the ending -la to -lene, but Darlene's still okay. I would consider it kind of an old lady name.