How Many People Are Named Shirley?
Complete statistics for the name Shirley: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Shirley means 'bright meadow' in Old English, making it a rare gem among names. There are 313,832 people named Shirley in the US, which means 1 in 1,052 Americans have this name. That's a lot considering it peaked in popularity back in 1935.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 6 is associated with harmony, balance, and responsibility.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 84All 695,779 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: 1935Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Shirley Through the Generations
Shirley has been around since the early 1900s, but it really took off in the mid-1930s when it hit its peak with over 42,000 births in a single year. Since then, it's seen a steady decline, with most people named Shirley being over 60 years old now. It's a classic name that's definitely part of an older generation, though it still holds a special place in American culture.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Shirley's Old English roots
📄 About the Name Shirley
How Many People Have the Name Shirley?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 25,421 people in the United States currently share the name Shirley. That works out to roughly 1 in every 13,038 Americans, placing it in the Rare category.
Is Shirley a Common or Rare Name?
Shirley 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 Shirley Mean?
Shirley means "bright meadow" and comes from Old English origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 6.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Shirley in SSA data, approximately 1% are male and 99% are female.
When Was Shirley Most Popular?
The name Shirley reached peak popularity in 1935, with 42,800 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 Shirley?
Approximately 25,421 people named Shirley live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 25,421. That works out to roughly 1 in 13,038 Americans.
Is Shirley a rare name?
Shirley is classified as Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 13,038 Americans has this name.
What does the name Shirley mean?
Shirley means "bright meadow" and comes from Old English origins.
Is Shirley more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 1% of people named Shirley are male and 99% are female.
When was Shirley most popular?
Shirley peaked in 1935 with 42,800 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.