Shirl is a unique and distinctive name of American origin. It is believed to have been coined by the author Sinclair Lewis in his novel "The Job" published in 1917. In the story, Shirl is a female character who is a talented musician but struggles with alcoholism.
The meaning behind the name Shirl is not explicitly stated in the novel or any other source. However, some people have associated it with the phrase "she's a real lady," which could be a play on words given its similarity to the name Shirley. Others suggest that it could be short for Sherilyn or Cheryl, but there is no concrete evidence to support these claims.
Despite its uncertain origins and meaning, Shirl has gained some popularity as a given name in the United States. According to data from the Social Security Administration, it was first recorded as a female name in 1920, just three years after Lewis' novel was published. Since then, it has been used infrequently but consistently throughout the 20th century.
One notable person with the name Shirl is American jazz musician Shirl Rickert, who was active during the 1940s and 1950s. Rickert was a pianist and bandleader who played alongside many other prominent musicians of the time, including Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson.
Overall, Shirl is an uncommon yet memorable name with an interesting backstory rooted in American literature. While its meaning remains somewhat elusive, its unique sound and association with creative individuals like Sinclair Lewis and Shirl Rickert make it a distinctive choice for parents looking for something different for their child.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Shirl in the United States from 1915 to 1966. Over this period, there were a total of 448 babies named Shirl.
During the early years, the popularity of the name Shirl fluctuated significantly, with the highest number of births occurring in 1938 (22 births) and the lowest in 1945 (6 births). However, from the late 1930s to the mid-1940s, there was a noticeable increase in popularity, with consistent double-digit figures each year.
After World War II, the name Shirl experienced a decline in popularity. Between 1947 and 1960, the annual number of births with this name ranged from 6 to 14, with no clear trend indicating an increase or decrease over time.
From 1960 onwards, there was a significant drop in the popularity of the name Shirl. The statistics show that there were only six births each year in 1964 and 1966, suggesting that this name may have been falling out of favor among parents during this period.
Overall, while Shirl was once a relatively popular name in the United States, particularly between the late 1930s and mid-1940s, its popularity waned over time. The total number of babies named Shirl from 1915 to 1966 provides an interesting snapshot of naming trends during this period.