Find out how popular the first name Shirly has been for the last 43 years (from 1974 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Shirly by gender

Based on the last 43 years of data, Shirly is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Shirly.

The history of the first name Shirly

The given name Shirly is a variant spelling of the English feminine name Shirley, which is derived from the English place name Shirley, meaning "bright meadow" or "bright clearing." The name is composed of two Old English elements: "scir" meaning "bright" and "leah" meaning "meadow" or "clearing."

The name Shirley has its origins in the English counties of Derbyshire and Surrey, where it was first recorded as a place name in the late 11th century. The earliest recorded use of the name as a personal name dates back to the 13th century, when it was used as a surname.

In literature, one of the earliest references to the name can be found in the 14th-century poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," where a character named Shirley is mentioned. The name gained popularity as a feminine given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Some notable historical figures named Shirly/Shirley include:

1. Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm (1924-2005), an American politician, educator, and author, who was the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress and the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination.

2. Shirley Temple (1928-2014), an American actress, singer, dancer, and diplomat, who was Hollywood's most famous child star during the Great Depression.

3. Shirley Bassey (born 1937), a Welsh singer, actress, and former teenage model, who is best known for her powerful voice and for recording the theme songs for several James Bond films.

4. Shirley MacLaine (born 1934), an American actress, dancer, activist, and author, who has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, and five Emmy Awards.

5. Shirley Muldowney (born 1940), an American drag racing driver, who was the first woman to receive a professional drag racing license and the first to win a major championship in the sport.

The name Shirly/Shirley has maintained a strong presence throughout history and has been associated with notable figures across various fields, reflecting its enduring popularity and cultural significance.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Shirly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Shirly, please contact us.

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