How Many People Are Named Shelley?
Complete statistics for the name Shelley: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shelley means 'clearing' in Old English and has a rare charm. It's shared by just 1 in 5,086 Americans, making it pretty unique. With most people over 60, Shelley definitely leans toward being an older generation's name.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the life path number 5 are known for their adaptability and love of freedom.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 60All 74,326 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1964Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shelley Through the Generations
Shelley peaked in popularity in 1964 with 2,845 births, reflecting its status as a classic name of that era. Today, there are 64,879 people named Shelley living in the U.S., with a notable age skew towards those over 60, indicating its enduring appeal among older generations. The name's current trend shows a decline, suggesting it's becoming less common among younger parents, but it remains a beloved choice for many.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shelley's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Shelley
How Many People Have the Name Shelley?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 13,694 people in the United States currently share the name Shelley. That works out to roughly 1 in every 24,204 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Shelley a Common or Rare Name?
Shelley is classified as Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Shelley Mean?
Shelley means "clearing" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shelley in SSA data, approximately 1% are male and 99% are female.
When Was Shelley Most Popular?
The name Shelley reached peak popularity in 1964, with 2,845 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Shelley?
Approximately 13,694 people named Shelley live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 13,694. That works out to roughly 1 in 24,204 Americans.
Is Shelley a rare name?
Shelley is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 24,204 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shelley mean?
Shelley means "clearing" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Shelley more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 1% of people named Shelley are male and 99% are female.
When was Shelley most popular?
Shelley peaked in 1964 with 2,845 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.