Shelley
Shelley is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Clearing on a bank or meadow on a slope.
Origin and history
Shelley originates as an Old English habitational surname meaning 'clearing on a bank' or 'meadow on a ledge'. Originally more common as a masculine or surname-derived name, it gained popularity as a feminine given name in the mid-20th century in the United States. Today, it is considered a classic, nostalgic name that is used infrequently for newborns.
Popularity in the United States
72,586 babies in the United States have been named Shelley since 1880. It ranks #468 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2035.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.7 %)
- TX (7 %)
- NY (6.1 %)
- OH (6 %)
- MI (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 11 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 32 |
| 1920-1930 | 95 |
| 1930-1940 | 363 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,473 |
| 1950-1960 | 18,226 |
| 1960-1970 | 24,856 |
| 1970-1980 | 17,283 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,814 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,757 |
| 2000-2010 | 431 |
| 2010-2019 | 174 |
| 2020-2029 | 66 |
Famous people named Shelley
- Shelley Duvall: Actress, Producer
- Shelley Long: Actress
- Shelley Winters: Actress
Nicknames
Shell
Fun facts
- Shelley was originally an English surname derived from several places in England named for their sloping meadows.
- The name reached its highest popularity for U.S. girls during the 1960s and 1970s.