Declining since 1992, #649 for girls today.
Popularity of Shelby since 1880
Babies named Shelby per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 115 |
| 1890s | 0 | 144 |
| 1900s | 0 | 193 |
| 1910s | 46 | 792 |
| 1920s | 95 | 1,225 |
| 1930s | 6,077 | 1,470 |
| 1940s | 4,895 | 1,642 |
| 1950s | 3,075 | 1,382 |
| 1960s | 3,267 | 1,375 |
| 1970s | 5,970 | 1,745 |
| 1980s | 7,881 | 1,613 |
| 1990s | 71,995 | 3,271 |
| 2000s | 31,310 | 835 |
| 2010s | 11,216 | 381 |
| 2020s | 3,003 | 266 |
Meaning & origin
Shelby entered the U.S. naming landscape in 1913, initially as a masculine name, but by the 1990s it had become strongly associated with girls, peaking at rank 59 in 1991. Since 1992, its popularity has been steadily declining, and in 2025 it sits at rank 649, with only 1 in 3,620 newborns receiving the name. The name is most popular in West Virginia, Tennessee, and Alabama, reflecting a strong Southern preference. Despite its decline, Shelby retains a familiar, friendly sound and a surname-style charm that helped it rise alongside similar unisex names like Tyler and Kelsey.
Shelby originates as an English surname derived from a place name in Lincolnshire, England. The place name combines the Old Norse personal name 'Skjǫldr' (meaning 'shield') or Old English 'scylf' (shelf, ledge) with 'bȳ' (farmstead, village), thus meaning 'farmstead on a ledge.' As a given name, it emerged in the United States in the early 20th century, likely inspired by the surname and influenced by its use for Confederate General Joseph Orville Shelby. It gained popularity for girls in the 1980s and 1990s.
Where Shelby is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Shelby” around the world
Where Shelby lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
55
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
New Zealand
14
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Sibling names for Shelby
Names that share Shelby's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Kelsey, Megan, Lauren, Ashley, Erin, Campbell, Kacey, Kaci, Kelsie, Shyanne, Shelba, Camrie, Lynzee, Shelva, Shelvia, Shelvy, Caeleigh, Shelvie, Teila, Trishelle, Carleena, Macenzie, Shelise
Brothers: Tyler, Cody, Dylan, Brandon, Zachary, Shelton, Sherrod, Gerrick, Shelden, Cleburne, Frazer, Grantland
Names like Shelby
Names whose popularity has moved with Shelby's over the last 50 years.
