Shirley is a girl's name of English origin that has gained popularity over the years. It is derived from the English surname "Sherley," which was originally an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name "Siorrach." This name has a significant historical background, as it was borne by many notable individuals throughout history.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Shirley can be traced back to the 13th century in Scotland. During this time, the name was associated with the Sherlies or Siorraiches, a Scottish clan that hailed from the region around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.
The use of Shirley as a given name became more prevalent during the late Victorian era when it began to be used independently of its association with the surname. In fact, many authors and playwrights of this period popularized the name by using it in their works. For example, the British poet John William Ingram composed a poem titled "Shirley" around 1860.
Today, Shirley is still widely recognized as a classic girl's name with a rich history behind it. Despite its Scottish roots, the name has been adopted globally and can be found among various cultures and communities around the world. Its timeless appeal lies in its unique sound and its association with notable individuals throughout history.
In conclusion, Shirley is a girl's name of English origin that traces back to its Scottish Gaelic roots. With a rich historical background and numerous notable figures bearing this name, it has become a classic choice for parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar name for their daughter.
Based on the statistics provided, we can see that the name Shirley has experienced a significant rise and fall in popularity over time in the United States.
In the late 19th century, there was a gradual increase in babies named Shirley each year, with only a handful of births per year during this period. This trend continued into the early 20th century until 1927, when there were 13,315 births that year, marking the peak popularity of the name Shirley.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the number of babies named Shirley remained consistently high, fluctuating between around 16,000 to 23,000 births per year. However, starting in the late 1950s, there was a notable decline in popularity for this name.
By the mid-1960s, the number of babies named Shirley had dropped significantly, with fewer than 4,000 births per year being recorded. This trend continued throughout the remainder of the century, with only slight fluctuations in numbers each year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Shirley has continued to decline, with fewer than 200 babies receiving this name annually since 2010. The lowest point was reached in 2021, with only 105 births recorded that year.
Overall, while the name Shirley was once extremely popular in the United States, reaching its peak popularity in the mid-20th century, it has experienced a significant decline in recent decades and is now relatively uncommon.