TheNameDBShirley
FeminineMeaning
A name meaning 'from the bright clearing' or 'dweller in the shire meadow.'
Etymology
Shirley derives from Old English 'scir' (shire, bright) and 'leah' (clearing, meadow), originally a place name in England that became a surname. Its use as a feminine given name became popular in the 19th and 20th centuries.
About the Name Shirley
Shirley is a classic English name that became particularly popular in the early-to-mid 20th century, reaching peak usage in the 1930s-1950s. It carries a wholesome, traditional quality and remains recognizable across generations.