Shirley name Meaning and Dictionary
- Name
- Shirley
- Name Meaning
- "Shirley" From the Old English scer meaning "bright","county" or "shire", and leah meaning "wood" or "clearing".
- Definition
- A feminine name that is originated in England and it means bright.
- Pronunciations
- Shir-ley
- SHERERLiy
- SHUR-LEE
- shur-lee
- shirley
- IPA Notation
- ʃɚˈli
- Syllable
- Shirley Syllable count: There are 2 syllables in the name Shirley
- Divide Shirley into syllables: Shir-ley
- Stressed syllable in Shirley: Shir-ley
- Sentences
- Shirley Ballas talks Bruno Tonioli's return to Strictly Come Dancing
- Couch Cleaning Service Costs in Shirley, NY in 2021
- Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas reveals she's having testing for "worrying" swelling
- This Week's Upcoming Shirley-Mastic Area Events
- Shirley Johnson
Shirley Overview and Analysis
Shirley Gender statistics
The name Shirley is typically used for Girls. Its a Feminine name with clear gender identification.
Popularity of the name Shirley
The name Shirley is classified as Common and ranked at the 86th most popular name in the Namedary database.
| Country | In-Country Rank | Population Share |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 63 | 0.27% |
| United States | 82 | 0.21% |
| Canada | 102 | 0.18% |
| Australia | 414 | 0.05% |
| United Kingdom | 1,803 | 0.005% |
Where to find Shirley?
The name Shirley is predominantly found in New Zealand (NZ), where it constitutes 0.27% of the total population.
Shirley Usage Trend Over Time
In recent years, the trend of using the name Shirley has been Decreasing gradually. The name Shirley was most used in 1935 with a usage rate of 6.16%. It was least used in 2021 with a usage rate of 0.007%.
To enhance readability, percentage is rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.The data is carefully curated from authentic human sources and thoroughly analyzed from a wide range of sources.
Similar Names to Shirley
Names with a Similar Sound to Shirley
Here is a list of names that share a similar sound to Shirley:
- Cheryl
- Sheryl
- Charlee
- Charli
- Sherrill
- Charla
- Cheryle
- Sharla
- Shirlee
- Sherryl
- Charly
- Cheryll
- Sharyl
- Cherelle
- Sherrell
- Sheryll
These are 191 names that sound like Shirley. Explore them all here!
Two Syllable Names Similar to Shirley
Here is a list of 2 syllable baby names that have the same syllable structure as Shirley:
Explore over 75500+ Two syllable baby names inspired by Shirley. View all here!
Names starting with S
The name Shirley begins with the letter S. Here is a list of names that start with the letter S, similar to Shirley:
Discover over 15,200+ Names beginning with the letter S in our extensive name database. Explore the complete list here!
Origin and History of the name Shirley
Shirley Temple almost single-handedly lifted the gloom of the Great Depression, and in tribute (and perhaps wishing for a similarly curly-headed, dimpled darling of their own), thousands of parents of that generation gave their little girls her name. In 1935, Shirley was the second most popular girls' name in the country with more than 42,000 babies named Shirley.
In an earlier time Shirley was used primarily for boys, but the tide turned with the publication of Charlotte Bronte's novel Shirley in 1849, the story of a character whose parents had selected the name for a boy child, then decided to use it anyway when he turned out to be a she.
In addition to Shirley Temple, there have been Shirleys Maclaine and Jones and writer Shirley Jackson, as well as rocker Shirley Manson.
Shirley in Chinese
- Translation
- 雪利
- Pronunce
- (PinYin) : xuě lì
Shirley in Numerology
| S | H | I | R | L | E | Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 5 | 7 | ||||
| 1 | 8 | 9 | 3 |
Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):
- Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 3
- Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 3
- Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 6
Famous people named Shirley
- Shirley Abicair (born 1930) Australian-born Singer, Musician, Tv Personality
- Shirley Babashoff (born 1957) American Former Competition Swimmer
- Shirley Ballas, British Ballroom Dancer, Teacher And Adjudicator
- Shirley Bassey (born 1937) Welsh Singer
- Shirley Clamp, (born 1973) Swedish Pop Singer
- Shirley Duvigneaud Bowler (born 1949) Writer And Editor
- Shirley Hibberd, Victorian Gardener, Editor And Author
- Shirley Jones (born 1934) American Singer And Actress Of Stage, Film And Television
- Shirley Kwan, Hong Kong Singer
- Shirley Maclean (born 1934), American Film And Theater Actress, Singer, Dancer
- Shirley Manson (born 1966) Scottish Recording Artist And Actress (garbage)
- Shirley Muldowney (born 1940), First Lady Of Drag Racing, Pioneer In Professional Auto Racing
- Shirley Povich (1905–1998) American Sports Columnist And Reporter
- Shirley S. Abrahamson (born 1933) Chief Justice Of The Wisconsin Supreme Court
- Shirley Temple (born 1928) American Film And Television Actress, Singer, Dancer
- Shirley Williams (born 1930), Baroness Williams Of Crosby, British Politician
- Shirley Yeung (born 1978), 2001 Miss Hong Kong, Tvb Actress
Conclusions about the name Shirley
Should you named your daughter Shirley?
According to the gender statistics, the name Shirley is strongly associated with girls. This is because the name Shirley is most commonly given to girls. As a result, people will generally assume that a baby named Shirley is a girl.
Shirley is a gender-appropriate name for a daughter. However, it is not a gender-appropriate name for a son.
Is Shirley a good name?
The name Shirley strike a harmonious balance between being easy to pronounce and possessing a touch of personality. The name Shirley offer a pleasing cadence and a hint of individuality, making them a popular choice for parents.
What are the Pros and Cons of the name Shirley?
Pros of the name Shirley:
- Uniqueness: Even though Shirley is decreasing in popularity, it is still not extremely rare, so your child will not be the only one with their name.
- Potential for nostalgia: Shirley may bring back fond memories for older generations.
- Familiarity: Shirley is easy to recognize and remember, so it's unlikely to cause any confusion or difficulties with spelling or pronunciation.
- Reduced risk of teasing or bullying: Having a common name can minimize the chances of your child being teased or bullied due to their name.
- Sense of belonging: Sharing the name Shirley with many others can foster a sense of belonging and connection to a broader community.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to name your child Shirley is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer. Consider all of the factors listed above, and make the decision that you and your partner feel is best for your child.