A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Shirlee since 1915
Babies named Shirlee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 103 |
| 1920s | 1,506 |
| 1930s | 1,685 |
| 1940s | 1,049 |
| 1950s | 786 |
| 1960s | 332 |
| 1970s | 105 |
| 1980s | 82 |
| 1990s | 41 |
| 2000s | 15 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Shirlee saw its peak popularity in 1935, a year when the variant spelling reached its highest usage. The name has been on a trajectory of declining use for decades, though it has been rising again since 2022. Despite its mid-century charm, Shirlee remains a very rare choice today, with no recorded ranks in recent years. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1915, riding the wave of the Shirley phenomenon. Parents today may appreciate Shirlee as a vintage revival option with a distinctive spelling that sets it apart from the more common Shirley.
Shirlee is a variant spelling of Shirley, which originated as an English surname from place names meaning 'bright clearing' (from Old English scir 'bright' + leah 'wood, clearing') or 'shire meadow' (from scir 'shire' + leah). As a given name, Shirley gained popularity in the 19th century, notably after Charlotte Brontë's novel 'Shirley' (1849), and the spelling Shirlee emerged as a feminine variant in the early 20th century, likely influenced by the popularity of the -lee suffix.
Where Shirlee 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: Shirl, Lee, Lea
Sibling names for Shirlee
Names that share Shirlee's style, for a brother or sister.
