Shelley
Shelley is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Clearing on a bank or slope.
Origin and history
Shelley derived from an Old English surname originally indicating a clearing on a slope or ledge. Historically used as a masculine name, it gained early prominence through cultural associations like the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. In modern U.S. usage, it is extremely rare for boys, having shifted predominantly to female usage in the 20th century.
Popularity in the United States
1,753 babies in the United States have been named Shelley since 1880. It ranks #3046 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- AL (36.5 %)
- NY (20.9 %)
- GA (9.6 %)
- CA (8.7 %)
- TX (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 39 |
| 1900-1910 | 53 |
| 1910-1920 | 154 |
| 1920-1930 | 202 |
| 1930-1940 | 172 |
| 1940-1950 | 236 |
| 1950-1960 | 308 |
| 1960-1970 | 233 |
| 1970-1980 | 236 |
| 1980-1990 | 84 |
| 1990-2000 | 31 |
| 2000-2010 | 5 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Shelley
- Shelley Berman: Comedian, Actor
Fun facts
- It originated from various English places named Shelley, combining Old English 'scylf' (shelf/slope) and 'lēah' (woodland/clearing).
- Its adoption as a given name was originally inspired by the surname of Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.