Shirley

Meaning of Shirley

From a bright meadow or clearing.

Shirley has English roots — browse every English baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Shirley

After ranking as high as #779 in 2001, Shirley has fallen out of the US top 1,000 as of 2025.

Notable people named Shirley

• Shirley Temple
  Child actress and diplomat
• Shirley MacLaine
  Actress and dancer
• Shirley Bassey
  Welsh singer
• Shirley Manson
  Scottish singer
• Shirley Chisholm
  Politician and educator

More English names

Questions about the name Shirley

What does the name Shirley mean?

Shirley means from a bright meadow or clearing, and it comes from English origins.

Is Shirley a boy's or a girl's name?

Shirley is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Shirley?

Shirley did not appear in the top 1,000 baby names in 2025, which makes it a genuinely uncommon pick.

When was Shirley most popular?

Shirley peaked at #779 in 2001.