Shelley
Shelley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ΛΚΙli/
Meaning and origin of Shelley
- A male given name transferred from the surname, of mostly before 1930 usage.
- A diminutive of the male given name Sheldon.
- A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1930s and later usage, also explained as a variant of Shirley or Michelle.
- A diminutive of the female given name Rochelle.
Etymology
From Old English, meaning "clearing on a bank".
How popular is Shelley?
Since 1880, 72,586 girls and 1,753 boys in the U.S. have been named Shelley (98% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #126 in 1972. Its highest rank for boys was #772 in 1899. In 2025, 13 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Shelley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English girl names
Sibling name ideas for Shelley
Sister and brother names that share Shelley's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Shelley FAQ
What does the name Shelley mean?
A male given name transferred from the surname, of mostly before 1930 usage. A diminutive of the male given name Sheldon. A female given name transferred from the surname, of 1930s and later usage, also explained as a variant of Shirley or Michelle. A diminutive of the female given name Rochelle. From Old English, meaning "clearing on a bank".
What is the origin of the name Shelley?
Shelley is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name Shelley?
Since 1880, 72,586 girls and 1,753 boys in the U.S. have been named Shelley (98% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #126 in 1972. Its highest rank for boys was #772 in 1899. In 2025, 13 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Shelley a boy or girl name?
Shelley is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 72,586 girls and 1,753 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880β2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.