Shelly
Shelly is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Clearing on a bank or slope meadow.
Origin and history
Shelly originated as an English surname derived from a place name meaning a meadow on a slope. While historically used as a masculine given name in the United States, it became far more popular for females in the mid-20th century. In recent decades, male usage in the U.S. has become extremely rare.
Popularity in the United States
2,190 babies in the United States have been named Shelly since 1880. It ranks #2760 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- AL (28.5 %)
- MS (19.1 %)
- GA (15.1 %)
- LA (9.1 %)
- SC (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 20 |
| 1890-1900 | 54 |
| 1900-1910 | 50 |
| 1910-1920 | 126 |
| 1920-1930 | 241 |
| 1930-1940 | 243 |
| 1940-1950 | 315 |
| 1950-1960 | 358 |
| 1960-1970 | 365 |
| 1970-1980 | 290 |
| 1980-1990 | 84 |
| 1990-2000 | 34 |
| 2000-2010 | 10 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Shelly
- Shelly Berman: Comedian, Actor
- Shelly Manne: Musician, Drummer
Fun facts
- Shelly comes from Old English elements describing a clearing or meadow situated near a slope or riverbank.
- Although Shelly is primarily recognized as a female name today, it was regularly used as a masculine name in the early 20th century.