Shirlie is a unique and captivating name of English origin. It is derived from the name Shirley, which has its roots in Old English language. The name Shirley means "bright clear" or "sun clearing", reflecting the beauty and radiance associated with sunlight.
The name Shirley was first used as a given name for girls during the 19th century. However, it gained significant popularity during the mid-20th century when many parents chose to use the shorter form Shirlie instead of the full version Shirley. This trend continued throughout the latter half of the century and into the early years of the 21st century.
Shirlie is a name that has been popular among celebrities, including singer Shirlie Kemp, who was a member of the British pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie. Despite its popularity among the stars, Shirlie remains a distinctive and uncommon name, setting it apart from more common names like Emily or Jessica.
In terms of its spelling and pronunciation, Shirlie is typically pronounced as "Shir-lee". It can also be spelled as Shirlee, Shirley, or even Sherlie, although these variations are less common.
Overall, Shirlie is a charming and distinctive name with a rich history and beautiful meaning. Its unique sound and captivating origins make it an excellent choice for parents looking for a memorable and meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Shirlie has been used inconsistently over the years in the United States. From 1911 to 1920, there were several peaks and valleys in the number of babies named Shirlie each year, with a high of 23 births in 1921 and a low of just 5 births in both 1964 and 1967.
The name's popularity seemed to wane after the 1920s. Between 1930 and 1950, there were never more than 39 Shirlie births in any given year. This trend continued throughout the 1950s, with fewer than 16 births each year.
There was another brief spike in popularity between 1942 and 1945, with 32 births each of those years, followed by a return to lower numbers. The final recorded birth using this name in the United States occurred in 1976, bringing the total number of Shirlie births over the course of these statistics to 1288.