Shirley means bright meadow — from the Old English scir (bright) and lēah (meadow). Shirley Temple was the most famous child star in history. Charlotte Brontë's Shirley (1849) was the first novel to use it as a female name. Shirley Bassey sang three Bond themes — the most for any artist. Two syllables of the most famous child star, Brontë's gender-switch, and the greatest Bond singer.
Shirley means bright meadow. Shirley Temple was the most famous child star. Charlotte Brontë's Shirley (1849) first used it as a female name. Shirley Bassey sang three Bond themes.
2
First recorded
Earliest known use: Brontë's Shirley (1849); Shirley Temple (1928–2014).
3
Today
Shirley remains a beloved choice, ranking #1494 in the US. 695,797 babies have been named Shirley since 1880.
◈ Sources: Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names, SSA data
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How popular is Shirley?
1935peak year
Shirley appears in U.S. registration data going all the way back to 1880, when records begin. Its popularity climbed over the following decades. In 1935, 42,365 babies were given the name — making it the #2 most popular name in the United States that year. Today it sits well outside the top 1,000 (around #1494), with roughly 150 babies named Shirley each year. Shirley's usage has held roughly steady recently. In total, around 695,797 babies have been registered with this name since 1880.
Year-by-year registrations1880–2024 · U.S. Social Security data
Shirley's Life Path 3 is the communicator's number — Temple-level communication. People named Shirley tend to be bright, classic, and gifted at being the most famous child AND the greatest Bond singer.
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Most famous child AND Bond singer
✦
Temple-iconic
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Brontë-gender-switch
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Bassey-three-themes
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Bright meadow
S1
H8
I9
R9
L3
E5
Y7
Sum: 42 → Life path 6
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Personality of Shirley
❤️
Nurturing heart
They notice when someone is struggling before anyone else.
🏡
Creates warmth
Their circle is warmer for their presence.
⚖️
Strong morals
They know what's right and stand by it.
🌸
Quietly selfless
They give and give, often without realising how much.
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