Shirley
Shirley is an girl name of Old English origin, meaning “Bright clearing”.
| Meaning | Bright clearing |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Old English |
| Pronunciation | SHUR-lee |
| Tradition | Modern & Classic |
| Used in | United States, United Kingdom, Australia |
Meaning and origin of Shirley
Shirley comes from English place names made of scir, 'bright' or 'clear', and leah, 'woodland clearing'. It was originally a surname and a man's name, until Charlotte Brontë gave it to the heroine of her novel Shirley (1849). The child star Shirley Temple made it one of the most popular girls' names in America during the 1930s.
Is Shirley a religious name?
Shirley is an English place name with no religious background.
How popular is Shirley?
Hugely popular in the 1930s; rare for babies today.
Gifts with the name Shirley
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Shirley
Names similar to Shirley
More girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shirley mean?
Shirley means 'Bright clearing'. It is of Old English origin.
Does Shirley have a religious meaning?
Shirley is an English place name with no religious background.
How do you pronounce Shirley?
Shirley is pronounced SHUR-lee.
Is Shirley a boy or girl name?
Shirley is usually a girl name.