Shelley is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the surname Shelley, which was originally an occupational name for a shell maker or seller. The name Shelley itself means "from the lily pond" in Old Norse.
The name Shelley has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous bearers of the name is Mary Shelley, the author of the classic novel Frankenstein. Born on August 30, 1797, Mary was the only child of political philosophers William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. She began writing at a young age and went on to become one of the most influential writers of her time.
Another notable figure with the name Shelley is Percy Bysshe Shelley, an English Romantic poet who was married to Mary. Born on January 4, 1792, Percy was known for his radical political views as well as his poetry, which often explored themes of love, beauty, and revolution.
Today, Shelley continues to be a popular given name for girls in English-speaking countries. Its meaning and associations with notable literary figures make it a name that has stood the test of time. Despite its origins as an occupational surname, Shelley has evolved into a distinctive and elegant feminine given name.
The name Shelley has a rich history of usage in the United States, with the first recorded birth occurring in 1893. Between 1893 and 2001, there were a total of 1753 births registered for girls named Shelley.
Over this period, the popularity of the name varied significantly from year to year. The highest number of births was recorded in 1922 with 35 babies named Shelley. This peak in usage may indicate that there was a particular event or cultural trend that influenced parents' choices during that time.
Conversely, some years saw much lower numbers of births for the name Shelley. For instance, between 1987 and 1990, there were only six births each year. This decrease could be attributed to changing naming trends or other factors affecting parent's decisions during these specific periods.
It is also interesting to note that after a decline in usage from the mid-1950s onwards, the name Shelley experienced a brief resurgence in popularity during the late 1960s and early 1970s. This could suggest that the name has enduring appeal for parents, even as naming trends evolve over time.
Overall, these statistics provide valuable insight into how the name Shelley has been received and used by American parents throughout much of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. Despite fluctuations in popularity, it is clear that Shelley remains a recognizable and timeless name choice for girls in the United States.