Namebino · Girl names · Boy names

Shirley

Girl's name · #1586 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Shirley belongs to an older America first — it reached #2 back in 1935 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1586. About 686,000 girls have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

See where Shirley is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 12 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Shirley ranks in other countries and regions.

#221 in Ecuador (2025) · #2,433 in Canada (2024).

Famous Shirleys

• Shirley MacLaine — American actress
• Shirley Temple — American actress and diplomat (1928–2014)
• Shirley Booth — American actress (1898–1992)
• Shirley Chisholm — First black woman elected to the United States Congress (1924–2005)
• Shirley Bassey — Welsh singer

In stories & tradition

• Shirley Bellinger — Oz (TV series)
• Shirley Carter — EastEnders (TV series)
• Shirley Armitage — Coronation Street (TV series)

What Shirleys become

Among 790 notable people named Shirley:

Entertainers appear 1.48× more often than among typical names — e.g. Shirley MacLaine, American actress.

Similar names: Beverly · Sheila · Karly · Carol · Bobbie · Yvonne

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service