How to Pronounce Shirley
Click Me Audio
Shirley name meaning
Last Name
27k
in the U.S.
in 2010
27k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name Shirley mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Shirley
User Submitted Origins
English
68%
Native American
12%
Puerto Rican
4%
African American
4%
Swahili
4%
African
4%
Aboriginal
4%
User Submitted Meanings
- According to 2 people from the United States and Ghana, the name Shirley is of African American origin and means "Bright Meadow".
- A submission from the United Kingdom says the name Shirley means "From the bright meadow" and is of English origin.
- A submission from New Jersey, U.S. says the name Shirley means "Bright and clearing".
- A user from Philippines says the name Shirley is of English origin and means "Bright clearing".
- A user from Illinois, U.S. says the name Shirley is of Puerto Rican origin and means "Bright".
- A user from Tanzania, United Republic of says the name Shirley is of Swahili origin and means "A bright girl".
- According to a user from Canada, the name Shirley is of English origin and means "The lea where the shire moot was held. Meadow, lea. Old English".
- A submission from Australia says the name Shirley means "Flowers of the meadow" and is of English origin.
- A submission from Maine, U.S. says the name Shirley means "Shining meadow" and is of Native American origin.
- A user from Uganda says the name Shirley means "CARING,LOVING ,ENGLISH".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Shir"ley
The bullfinch.
Wiktionary
English place name from Old English scīr (“county”) + lēah (“meadow”). More at shire, leigh.
- An English habitational surname
- (rare) A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A female given name transferred from the surname. Popular from the 1920s to the 1950s.
- Various places in England:
- A village in Derbyshire Dales district, Derbyshire (OS grid ref SK2141).
- A suburb of Croydon borough, Greater London (OS grid ref TQ3565).
- A suburb of Southampton, Hampshire (OS grid ref SU4013).
- A suburb of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, West Midlands (OS grid ref SP1278).
- Various places in the United States:
- A town in Van Buren County, Arkansas.
- An unincorporated community in Kings County, California.
- An unincorporated community in El Paso County, Colorado.
- An unincorporated community in McLean County, Illinois.
- A town in Hancock County and Henry County, Indiana.
- A town in Piscataquis County, Maine.
- A town and census-designated place in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
- An unincorporated community in Polk County, Minnesota.
- An unincorporated community in Washington County, Missouri.
- A hamlet and census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York.
- A hamlet in Erie County, New York.
- An unincorporated community in Charles City County, Virginia.
- An unincorporated community in Tyler County, West Virginia.
- An unincorporated community in Brown County, Wisconsin.
- A suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand.
Shirley was also found in the following language(s): Tagalog
Notable Persons Named Shirley
Notable Persons Named Shirley
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is an actress, singer, dancer, author, and activist. She was most prominent from 1953 to present. Shirley was given the name Shirley MacLean Beaty on April 24th, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple was a film actress, tv actress/entertainer, public servant, film actress (1932–50), tv actress/entertainer (1958–65), and public servant (1969–92). Her most notable accomplishments were from 1932 to present. Shirley was born Shirley Temple on April 23rd, 1928 in , U.S. She left this life on February 10th, 2014.
Shirley Jones
Shirley Jones is a singer and actress. She has had major accomplishments since 1953. Shirley was given the name Shirley Mae Jones on March 31st, 1934 in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm was a Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus and Democratic Caucus Vice-Chairman of the United States House of Representatives. Shirley was born on November 30th, 1924 in New York City, New York, U.S. She breathed her last breath on January 1st, 2005.
Shelley Winters
Shelley Winters was an actress and actor. She was most active from 1943 to 2006. Shelley was given the name Shirley Schrift on August 18th, 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. She passed away on January 14th, 2006.
Dame Shirley Bassey
Dame Shirley Bassey is a traditional pop music, adult contemporary music, and pop music musician. Her most notable accomplishments were from 1953 to present. Dame was given the name Shirley Veronica Bassey on January 8th, 1937 in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, Wales.
- Shirley MansonMusician
- Shirley HendersonActress
- Shirley BoothActress
- Shirley Phelps-Roper
- Shirley KnightActress
- Shirley Ann JacksonOffice Holder
- Shirley Anne FieldActress
- Shirley SherrodPolitical Candidate
- Shirley MuldowneyRacing Driver
- Skye EdwardsMusician
- Shirley BabashoffSwimmer
- Shirley M. TilghmanPresident of Princeton University
- June ChristySinging
- Shirley HufstedlerJudge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Notable Persons With the Last Name Shirley
Notable Persons With the Last Name Shirley
Belle Starr
Belle was given the name Myra Maybelle Shirley on February 5th, 1848 in Carthage, Missouri. She breathed her last breath on February 3rd, 1889.
Anne Shirley
Anne Shirley was an actress. She was most active from 1922 to 1922. Anne was given the name Dawn Evelyeen Paris on April 17th, 1918 in New York City, New York, U.S. Anne is also known as Dawn O'Day. She passed away on July 4th, 1993.
Dame Stephanie Shirley
Dame Stephanie Shirley is a medician. She holds the title Steve Shirley's voice. Dame was born on September 16th, 1933 in Dortmund, Germany.
Kevin Shirley
Kevin Shirley is a musician. He has been prominent since 1970. Kevin was born on June 29th, 1960 in South Africa. Kevin is also known as The Caveman.
Jerry Shirley
Jerry Shirley is a rock music and hard rock drummer and musician. He plays Drum kit, Percussion instrument, and Keyboard instrument. He has been prominent since 1969. Jerry was born Jerry Shirley on February 4th, 1952.
John Shirley
John Shirley is a novelist, short story, screenwriter, songwriter, and short story writer. John was born on February 10th, 1953 in Houston.
Common last names for Shirley
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | Shirley | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 82.63% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 9.10% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 0.62% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 3.33% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 2.08% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 2.23% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name Shirley
People with the last name Shirley are most frequently White
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name Shirley
| #37 | Most Popular Girl Names |
| #15 | Fastest Rising Girl Names |
| #51 | Old-Fashioned Girl Names |