Save Gender Feminine Usage German, Hunsrik, Folklore Pronounced Pron. mah-LEN(German) mah-LEEN(German) /ma.ˈleːn/(Hunsrik) [key·simplify] Other Forms FormsMalena (cognate) Meaning & History German short form of Magdalene and Hunsrik form of the related name Marlene.This name was used by the Brothers Grimm in their fairy tale Jungfrau Maleen ("Maid Maleen").