Shirley

Shirley is both a given name and a surname, and it also appears as a place name in several English-speaking regions. As a given name, it was widely used in the 20th century in the United States and Britain and remains in use today, though it is less common for newborns.

Origin and usage: Shirley derives from English habitational names taken from places called Shirley in England, including locations in Warwickshire and Surrey. The place names themselves come from Old English elements that typically refer to a clearing or meadow near a shire, yielding a meaning related to a “clearing in a shire.” Over time, Shirley became established as a feminine given name and, less commonly, as a surname.

Notable people: Prominent bearers include Shirley Temple (1928–2014), American child star and diplomat; Shirley MacLaine (born 1934), American actress and author; Shirley Bassey (born 1937), Welsh singer; Shirley Jackson (1916–1965), American writer known for The Lottery; Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005), American politician and the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress; Shirley Manson (born 1966), Scottish singer with the band Garbage; Shirley Williams (1930–2021), British politician; and Shirley Knight (1936–2020), American actress.

Geographic usage: Shirley is used as a place name in the United Kingdom and North America. In the United States, towns and communities named Shirley include Shirley, Massachusetts, and Shirley, New York.

Surname usage: In addition to its use as a given name, Shirley also exists as a surname in some families, though it is more commonly encountered in the given-name form.