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NamyLab

Shirley

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Bright Clearing"

Originally an English place-based surname meaning bright clearing, it became a given name notably in the early twentieth century.

Themes:clearingtoponymicsurnamemodern
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Shirley

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1453Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#1453

Shirley was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+86

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Shirley Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Shirley.

10 ideas
Shiie
Nickname
Shir
Nickname
shir
Nickname
shiy
Nickname
rley
Nickname
leyy
Nickname
irly
Nickname
sho
Nickname
shie
Nickname
sh
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Shirley

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Shirley, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

13 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Shirley mean?
Shirley means "Bright Clearing". Originally an English place-based surname meaning bright clearing, it became a given name notably in the early twentieth
What is the origin of Shirley?
Shirley is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Shirley?
According to the latest SSA data, Shirley is currently ranked #1453 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Shirley a girl name?
Shirley is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Shirley?
Popular nicknames for Shirley include Shiie, Shir, shir, shiy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Shirley?
There are many names similar to Shirley in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish
Syllables2
Length7 letters
US Rank#1453
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withS

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Shirley

Shirley has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Shirley appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Light and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Last Names That Mean Light.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Shirley pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Shirley beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.