Shelley Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationSHEL-ee / ˈʃɛliEnglish; French
Meaning
English: clearing in the woods; French: from the meadow
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Shelley has roots in both English and French cultures. It is derived from a surname that became popular as a given name. Historically, it has been used for both genders, though it is more commonly associated with females in contemporary contexts. The name gained prominence in the 19th century, partly due to the influence of notable literary figures.
Trend Summary
The name Shelley has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable decline since the 1990s.
Similar Names
Variants
- Shelly
International Variants
- Shelley (English)
- Shelly (English)
Famous people named Shelley
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Fictional characters named Shelley
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Shelley was first seen in the United States in 1893. Shelley has ranked as high as #979 nationally, which occurred in 1951, and has been most popular in Alabama, New York, Georgia, California, and Texas. In the past 5 years the name Shelley has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Shelley (1972)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| OH | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1893 | 8 |
| 1894 | 5 |
| 1895 | 7 |
| 1896 | 5 |
| 1898 | 5 |
| 1899 | 9 |
| 1900 | 9 |
| 1904 | 8 |
| 1905 | 6 |
| 1906 | 9 |
| 1907 | 6 |
| 1908 | 6 |
| 1909 | 9 |
| 1910 | 10 |
| 1911 | 9 |
| 1912 | 7 |
| 1913 | 12 |
| 1914 | 10 |
| 1915 | 29 |
| 1916 | 20 |
| 1917 | 15 |
| 1918 | 16 |
| 1919 | 26 |
| 1920 | 21 |
| 1921 | 22 |
| 1922 | 35 |
| 1923 | 16 |
| 1924 | 16 |
| 1925 | 16 |
| 1926 | 15 |
| 1927 | 24 |
| 1928 | 25 |
| 1929 | 12 |
| 1930 | 19 |
| 1931 | 11 |
| 1932 | 18 |
| 1933 | 11 |
| 1934 | 22 |
| 1935 | 15 |
| 1936 | 22 |
| 1937 | 23 |
| 1938 | 17 |
| 1939 | 14 |
| 1940 | 19 |
| 1941 | 19 |
| 1942 | 21 |
| 1943 | 22 |
| 1944 | 24 |
| 1945 | 28 |
| 1946 | 26 |
| 1947 | 30 |
| 1948 | 18 |
| 1949 | 29 |
| 1950 | 32 |
| 1951 | 46 |
| 1952 | 35 |
| 1953 | 41 |
| 1954 | 29 |
| 1955 | 26 |
| 1956 | 25 |
| 1957 | 27 |
| 1958 | 28 |
| 1959 | 19 |
| 1960 | 15 |
| 1961 | 41 |
| 1962 | 25 |
| 1963 | 16 |
| 1964 | 24 |
| 1965 | 19 |
| 1966 | 25 |
| 1967 | 19 |
| 1968 | 20 |
| 1969 | 29 |
| 1970 | 28 |
| 1971 | 29 |
| 1972 | 31 |
| 1973 | 35 |
| 1974 | 20 |
| 1975 | 24 |
| 1976 | 20 |
| 1977 | 15 |
| 1978 | 18 |
| 1979 | 16 |
| 1980 | 16 |
| 1981 | 10 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1983 | 6 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1990 | 6 |
| 1991 | 5 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1998 | 10 |
| 2001 | 5 |