Shirley is a feminine given name of English origin that has been widely used throughout the world. The name Shirley is derived from an ancient English surname, which was originally an occupational name for a servant in a royal household or for someone who worked at a royal residence called "Shire Hall". The name Shire itself comes from Old English words meaning "army" or "military force".
The popularity of the name Shirley can be traced back to the 19th century when it became fashionable among families in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries. It was particularly popular during the mid-20th century, with many baby girls being named Shirley during this time.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Shirley. One of the most famous is Shirley Temple, an American child actress who rose to fame in the 1930s and became a major movie star. Other notable Shirleys include Shirley Jackson, an American writer known for her short stories and novels; Shirley Chisholm, an American politician and the first black woman elected to Congress; and Shirley Bassey, a Welsh singer who is famous for singing the theme songs to several James Bond films.
Despite its historic popularity, the name Shirley has become less common in recent years. However, it remains a beloved classic that continues to be used by families around the world. The name Shir
The name Shirly has seen a varied trend in popularity over the years in the United States, with peaks and valleys throughout the early to mid-20th century.
From 1911 to 1938, there was an average of about 7 births per year with Shirly as the given name. However, this number began to increase significantly in 1934, reaching a peak of 31 births in 1936. This trend continued until 1940, after which the popularity of the name started to decline once again.
Between 1941 and 1958, there was an average of about 17 births per year with Shirly as the given name. While this number remained relatively stable during these years, it began to decrease significantly in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
From 1963 to 2016, there were a total of 877 births with Shirly as the given name in the United States. During this period, the popularity of the name fluctuated greatly, with some years seeing fewer than 5 births and others reaching peaks of over 20.
Overall, while Shirly was once a relatively popular name in the United States, its popularity has declined significantly in recent decades. Despite this, it remains a unique and historic name that continues to be given to newborns even today.