Shirley
Peaked at #2 nationally in 1935, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Shirley has been recorded 99% of the time for girls and 1% of the time for boys.
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Shirley — Girls (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#2
in 1935
Current rank
#1453
in 2024
Years tracked
144
1880–2024
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Shirley reached its peak popularity for girls in 1935, ranking #2 nationally with 42,365 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #1213 (2014) to #1453 (2024) — a 17% drop.
As of 2024, Shirley ranks #1453 nationally for girls, with 151 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,453 | 151 |
| 2023 | #1,539 | 139 |
| 2022 | #1,588 | 134 |
| 2021 | #1,892 | 105 |
| 2020 | #1,549 | 137 |
| 2019 | #1,486 | 148 |
| 2018 | #1,450 | 152 |
| 2017 | #1,278 | 185 |
Shirley — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#259
in 1935
Last ranked
#7503
in 1993
Years tracked
109
1880–1993
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1880, Shirley reached its peak popularity for boys in 1935, ranking #259 nationally with 435 babies given the name that year.
Shirley hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1993, when it stood at #7503.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | #7,503 | 7 |
| 1992 | #9,606 | 5 |
| 1988 | #7,117 | 6 |
| 1987 | #6,820 | 6 |
| 1986 | #7,672 | 5 |
| 1985 | #7,431 | 5 |
| 1984 | #7,170 | 5 |
| 1983 | #4,101 | 10 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Shirley most popular?
Shirley was most popular in 1935, when it ranked #2 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Shirley becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently falling; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Shirley?
At least 695,797 babies have been recorded with the name Shirley in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Shirley? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.