Girl · 1899th of 9,204
Shirly
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,069
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1936
Peak Popularity Year
37
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Shirly stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Shirly is an Old English name meaning 'bright clearing'. It evolved from 'Scirleah' to 'Shirley' and became popular in the 20th century. The name is associated with warmth and familiarity and has notable figures such as Shirley Temple and Shirley MacLaine.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈʃɜrli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Shirly is derived from the Old English elements 'scir' meaning 'bright' or 'clear' and 'leah' meaning 'wood' or 'clearing'.
Meaning
Bright clearing
Language Evolution
Scirleah, Shirley
Historical Usage
Shirly gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly as a feminine given name, partly influenced by the popularity of the similar name Shirley.
Variants & Derivatives
Shirley, Shirlee, Shirl
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Shirly is perceived as a traditional name that evokes a sense of warmth and familiarity.
Famous People
Shirley Temple, Shirley MacLaine
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 37 peak births in 1936
Geographic Spread
Popular across 1 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5583rd of 7545 | 21 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6464th of 6773 | 6 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 4146th of 9107 | 86 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1899th of 9204 | 344 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2650th of 12526 | 347 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6845th of 19264 | 102 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 12462nd of 27321 | 62 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 13441st of 35406 | 96 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 30306th of 30306 | 5 |