Shaley
A feminine name derived from the English word "shale", referring to a sedimentary rock.
Name Census estimates that about 679 living Americans carry the first name Shaley. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Shaley today is around 26 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Shaley births was 1994 (41 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Shaley. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
679
~ 1 in 504,793 Americans
Peak year
1994
41 babies that year
Average age
26
years old
2023 SSA rank
#17,234
Tracked since 1984
Popularity
Shaley: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Shaley from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 275 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Shaley by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Shaley during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Shaleys live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Utah, Indiana, Louisiana recorded the most babies named Shaley, while Texas, Louisiana, Indiana recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 5 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Shaley
The name Shaley is a unique and intriguing one, with roots that can be traced back to the ancient Celtic culture. Its origins lie in the Gaelic language, specifically in the word "sealadh," which means "a glimpse" or "a view." This suggests that the name Shaley may have been associated with those who possessed keen eyesight or had a penchant for observing the world around them.
During the Middle Ages, the name Shaley gained prominence in parts of Ireland and Scotland, where it was often bestowed upon individuals with a reputation for being perceptive and observant. The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 12th century, when a monk named Shaley O'Donnell was noted for his remarkable ability to discern hidden meanings and symbolism in ancient texts.
As the centuries passed, the name Shaley continued to hold significance in Celtic folklore and literature. In the 15th century, a renowned Irish bard named Shaley O'Flaherty was celebrated for his poetic works, which often depicted the beauty of the natural world through vivid imagery and metaphor.
One of the most notable figures in history to bear the name Shaley was a Scottish explorer and cartographer who lived in the late 16th century. Shaley MacKenzie's meticulous maps and navigational charts were instrumental in guiding many voyages and expeditions during the Age of Discovery.
In the realm of religion, Shaley also made its mark. The 17th century saw the rise of a prominent Quaker preacher named Shaley Penington, whose sermons and writings advocated for peace, tolerance, and spiritual enlightenment.
Crossing into the 18th century, the name Shaley gained further recognition through the works of a celebrated English poet named Shaley Wordsworth (1770-1850). Wordsworth's poetic genius and deep connection with nature earned him a place among the most revered literary figures of the Romantic era.
As the history of the name Shaley unfolds, it becomes evident that its essence lies in the ability to perceive the world with clarity and depth, whether through physical observation, artistic expression, or spiritual contemplation. While its usage may have evolved over time, the name Shaley continues to carry a sense of insight and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us.
People
Shaley + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Shaley as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with S
Other first names starting with S with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Shaley: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Shaley?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 679 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Shaley going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 504,793 US residents.
Is Shaley a common name?
We classify Shaley as "Very Rare". It ranks above 87.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 696 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Shaley most popular?
The single biggest year for Shaley was 1994, when 41 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Shaley is about 26 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Shaley a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Shaley in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.