Shirley is a girls' name of English origin, derived from the Old English words "scir" meaning bright or clear, and "leah" which means wood or clearing. Thus, Shirley literally translates to "bright clearing." The name was originally used as a surname before evolving into a given name in the late 19th century.
The earliest known use of Shirley as a first name is found in the novel "The Bridal Companion" by English writer Mary Ann Hanway, published in 1768. However, it wasn't until the late Victorian era that Shirley began to be used regularly as a given name. The popularity of the name can be attributed in part to Sir Walter Scott's poem "The Lady of the Lake," which features a character named Shirley.
In the early 20th century, Shirley became particularly popular in North America. It reached peak popularity during the mid-1930s when it was among the top ten names for girls in the United States and Canada. Although its popularity has since declined, Shirley remains a classic name with a rich history.
Some notable people named Shirley include Shirley Temple (1928–), an American actress and diplomat; Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005), an American politician who was the first African American woman elected to Congress; and Shirley Manson (1966–), the Scottish singer-songwriter and lead vocalist of the rock band Garbage.
Based on the statistical data provided for the given name Shirley, we can observe several trends and patterns over time in the United States.
From 1880 to around 1946, there was a steady increase in the number of babies named Shirley. The highest point during this period was reached in 1935 with 435 births. This trend can be attributed to the name's popularity during the early and mid-20th century.
However, after peaking in 1935, there has been a consistent decline in the number of newborn girls named Shirley. The lowest point occurred in 1973 with only 7 births. This decline is reflective of changing naming trends over time, as parents often prefer more current and unique names for their children.
Despite the decrease in popularity, there have still been instances where Shirley has remained relatively stable or even slightly increased in usage. For example, between 1980 and 1993, the number of babies named Shirley ranged from a low of 5 births to a high of 7 births per year.
In total, over the years covered by this data, there have been 9,551 girls born in the United States with the name Shirley. This demonstrates that although its popularity has waxed and waned over time, Shirley remains a name with some historical significance in America.
These statistics show how names can reflect cultural shifts and changing tastes within society. As new generations come along, they often prefer different names for their children than those used by previous generations. However, classic names like Shirley may continue to hold sentimental value or be chosen as an homage to older relatives, contributing to their enduring presence in name data.