Holding steady.
Popularity of Shelli since 1945
Babies named Shelli per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1940s | 37 |
| 1950s | 544 |
| 1960s | 3,217 |
| 1970s | 2,149 |
| 1980s | 769 |
| 1990s | 216 |
| 2000s | 44 |
| 2010s | 7 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Shelli is a name that saw its peak usage in 1968, reflecting the popularity of similar-sounding names like Shelley and Kelly during that era. While it has never been among the top 1,000 names, its peak year in the late 1960s places it firmly within the mid-century naming trends. The name likely originated as a variant spelling of Shelley, which itself was a transferred surname from an English place name. Shelli has remained in very sporadic use since, with a stable but low trajectory. The first recorded year for this spelling was 1945, and it has not shown signs of a revival.
Shelli is a variant of Shelley, which itself is a transferred use of an English surname derived from a place name. The place name likely comes from Old English 'scelf' (shelf, bank) or 'sceld' (shield) plus 'leah' (clearing, meadow). It gained popularity as a given name in the mid-20th century, often as a feminine form.
Where Shelli 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Shel, Shelli
Sibling names for Shelli
Names that share Shelli's style, for a brother or sister.
