Shirley

Meaning bright meadow
Origin English
Gender Girl
Popularity Moderate
Length 7
Syllables 2
Syllabification Shir-ley

About Shirley

Vintage charm meets modern revival in this classic name that's ready for rediscovery. Shirley carries generations of history while feeling fresh for contemporary parents seeking something different from current trends. The name has a pleasant, cheerful sound—those bright vowels and liquid consonants create an optimistic melody. Shirley doesn't take itself too seriously, yet maintains respectability and substance. It's experiencing a quiet renaissance among parents who appreciate retro aesthetics and grandmother-chic naming. The name suits a girl who will be equally comfortable in vintage dresses and modern jeans, who appreciates both tradition and innovation. Shirley offers familiarity without overuse, recognition without saturation. It's a conversation starter, a name that prompts stories and smiles from older generations while sounding perfectly wearable for today's babies.

Variations of Name Shirley

Shirlee
Sherley
Shirlie
Sheryl
Sheril
Shirl
Sherlee

Names Similar to Shirley

Sharon
Sheila
Shelby
Shannon
Sheryl
Sydney

Nicknames for Shirley

Shirl
Shiri
Lee
Leigh
Ley
Shirley

Famous People Named Shirley

Shirley TempleAmerican actress, singer, and dancer
Shirley MacLaineAmerican actress, singer, and author
Shirley MansonScottish singer and songwriter - lead vocalist of Garbage
Shirley ChisholmAmerican politician and the first African-American woman elected to the US Congress
Shirley JonesAmerican actress and singer
Shirley BasseyWelsh singer known for her powerful voice and James Bond theme songs
Shirley HendersonScottish actress known for her roles in "Harry Potter" and "Bridget Jones's Diary"
Shirley KnightAmerican actress and Emmy Award winner
Shirley Ann JacksonAmerican physicist and the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT
Shirley CaesarAmerican gospel singer
Shirley HufstedlerAmerican lawyer and the first U.S. Secretary of Education
Shirley StricklandAustralian Olympic athlete and triple gold medalist in track and field
Shirley VerrettAmerican operatic mezzo-soprano
Shirley HughesBritish author and illustrator of children's books
Shirley FranklinAmerican politician and the first female mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
Shirley Phelps-RoperAmerican activist known for her association with the Westboro Baptist Church
Shirley HornAmerican jazz singer and pianist
Shirley AbbottAmerican author and journalist
Shirley Temple BlackAmerican diplomat and former child actress
Shirley WilliamsBritish politician and the co-founder of the Social Democratic Party

Characters Named Shirley

Shirley FeeneyA character from the TV series "Laverne & Shirley"
Shirley ValentineThe main character in the play and film "Shirley Valentine"
Shirley the LoonA character from the animated series "Tiny Toon Adventures"
Shirley GhostmanA character played by Marc Wootton in the mockumentary series "High Spirits with Shirley Ghostman"
Shirley MuldowneyA character based on the real-life drag racer in the film "Heart Like a Wheel"
Shirley CrandellA character from the film "Big Business"
Shirley PartridgeA character from the TV series "The Partridge Family"
Shirley HolmesThe main character in the Canadian TV series "The Adventures of Shirley Holmes"
Shirley T. BenjaminA character from the film "The World According to Garp"
Shirley CaesarA character from the TV series "Amen"
Shirley BennettA character from the TV series "Community"
Shirley FenetteA character from the anime series "Code Geass - Lelouch of the Rebellion"