Shirley
Meaning & Origin
Meaning: Bright Meadow; Clearing
Background: The name Shirley originates from the Old English elements 'scir,' meaning 'bright,' and 'leah,' meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing.' It later became popularized in French contexts, maintaining the meaning related to a bright, clear space in nature.
At a glance
Quick stats based on the history of this name.
Lifetime rank
#37
Total births
695,797
Most popular decade
1930s
(696,867 births)
10-year trend
↓ Falling (-245 ranks)
Years in Top 100
46
First recorded year
1880
Gender usage
1.4% male
98.6% female
Stats by gender
Male
- First year
- 1880
- First year births
- 10
- First year rank
- #600
- Peak year
- 1935
- Peak year births
- 435
- Peak rank
- #259
- Most recent year
- 1993
- Recent year births
- 7
- Recent rank
- #6,813
Female
- First year
- 1880
- First year births
- 8
- First year rank
- #628
- Peak year
- 1935
- Peak year births
- 42,365
- Peak rank
- #2
- Most recent year
- 2024
- Recent year births
- 151
- Recent rank
- #1,450
Births over time
Number of babies given this name each year.
Rank over time
Popularity rank by year (1 = most popular).