Declining since 1985, #1,581 for girls today.
Popularity of Shirley since 1880
Babies named Shirley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 179 |
| 1890s | 535 |
| 1900s | 1,710 |
| 1910s | 12,742 |
| 1920s | 98,602 |
| 1930s | 229,380 |
| 1940s | 171,780 |
| 1950s | 108,807 |
| 1960s | 38,078 |
| 1970s | 10,520 |
| 1980s | 5,072 |
| 1990s | 3,692 |
| 2000s | 2,735 |
| 2010s | 1,752 |
| 2020s | 799 |
Meaning & origin
Shirley is a name with deep English roots, originally a surname denoting someone from a 'bright clearing' or a 'shire clearing.' It began as a given name for boys in the 19th century but shifted to feminine usage, skyrocketing in popularity after child star Shirley Temple captured the American heart. In 2025, Shirley ranks 1581st in the United States, given to about 1 in every 12,085 baby girls. This is a far cry from its peak in 1935, when it held a much higher position, demonstrating a falling trajectory since 1985. The name has historically been most common in states like Minnesota, Illinois, and New York. Despite its vintage charm, Shirley remains a familiar and friendly choice, evoking the golden age of Hollywood.
Shirley originated as an English surname derived from place names meaning 'bright clearing' or 'shire clearing' from Old English 'scir' (bright, shire) and 'leah' (wood, clearing). It transferred to given-name use in the 19th century, initially for boys, but became predominantly feminine by the 20th century, largely due to the popularity of child actress Shirley Temple (born 1928).
Where Shirley 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.
“Shirley” around the world
Where Shirley lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Sherry, Shirl
Sibling names for Shirley
Names that share Shirley's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Dorothy, Evelyn, Marilyn, Beverly, Carol, Betty, Gayle, Ardith, Beverley, Caroll, Charleen, Cherryl, Darleen, Dona, Gaye, Glenda, Jerrie, Jerrilyn, Karolyn, Karyl, Lesley, Marlys, Ruthann, Sherrill, Arlinda, Bettyann, Corliss, Darlyne, Dayle, Delorise, Erlene, Gaynell, Gaynelle, Glennis, Jeanice, Jeraldine, Jerilynn, Lavonna, Lezlie, Louann, Marjean, Marline, Marolyn, Marylin, Nancee, Rosann, Saralyn, Sharlyn, Sharolyn, Shirl, Shirlene, Shirlie, Arlynn, Arlys, Carlean, Carliss, Carren, Carylon, Darlynn, Diannia, Donnalee, Dyane, Earla, Glenice, Janith, Jearldine, Jerlene, Joelyn, Johnita, Maralee, Marlea, Marlyce, Marlynn, Nancey, Patsey, Sharalyn, Sharlet, Shelda, Shelva, Sheral, Sherrel, Vanetta, Velinda, Aldene, Arlisa, Arlyce, Bev, Bevelyn, Beverely, Beverlee, Brendalyn, Carilyn, Carlyne, Caroleen, Carolle, Carollee, Carollyn, Carollynn, Carrolyn, Caryle, Charlane, Cherlynn, Cherylyn, Claryce, Connee, Daralyn, Darleene, Darlis, Dennice, Derenda, Faylene, Gailya, Gaylia, Gearldean, Georgeann, Gloriann, Jannice, Jerlyn, Jerrilynn, Jerrine, Johnice, Joylene, Ladoris, Lesle, Lezley, Lindalee, Lorice, Marilea, Marliss, Maryln, Merryl, Normalee, Rojean, Sandria, Shearon, Shellene, Sherill, Sherl, Sherlie, Sherma, Sherolyn, Shirlean, Shirly, Cherrill, Gennell, Gerilynn, Karolee, Shirline, Arleny, Bevely, Beverlyann, Brendolyn, Cheyrl, Darlette, Darlys, Darrelyn, Donalyn, Donnajean, Dorann, Dorreen, Gailyn, Georgean, Georjean, Gerrianne, Geryl, Janann, Jerilee, Jerriann, Joeanne, Kathlee, Kennetha, Leslyn, Luane, Lurleen, Marijean, Marylon, Marylynne, Merrianne, Peggyann, Rudean, Ruthellen, Shaaron, Sharley, Sherald, Sherel, Sherleen, Sherlyne, Sherral, Shirla, Shirlena, Shriley, Suellyn, Trease, Vaunda, Veralyn, Verlinda
Brothers: Harold, Raymond, Eugene, Howard, Clarence, Gerald, Lonnie, Marvin, Ronald, Wayne, Chuck, Jerold, Jerrold, Nickey, Randell, Rayfield, Rondal, Stan, Darold, Derwin, Durrell, Duwayne, Gearld, Jerrel, Larrie, Lary, Lindell, Lyndell, Lynwood, Melvyn, Randel, Terryl, Darrold, Derral, Derrel, Dewaine, Dewane, Durwin, Earvin, Garald, Gaylan, Gayland, Glendale, Glendell, Jearl, Jearld, Jeral, Jerrald, Lamond, Parke, Rondel, Ronnald, Yeison, Biff, Darol, Darroll, Derrill, Ferlin, Gearl, Kenwood, Lavoris, Lealon, Lonney, Lowery, Lyndel, Mandell, Mardell, Thurl, Dennard, Derrall, Gaylin, Glendel, Jerol, Jerryl, Marv, Norm, Raydell, Rondle
Names like Shirley
Names whose popularity has moved with Shirley's over the last 50 years.
