Shirley: Name Day, Name Meaning & More
Name days serve as a cultural or religious tradition celebrating the saint or feast day associated with a given name. The name Shirley, rooted in Old English place names meaning 'bright clearing,' enjoyed immense popularity in mid-20th century America, giving it a powerful vintage feel. Its mood is defined by classic elegance, suggesting a warm yet traditional personality. Predominantly identified as a female name worldwide, Shirley maintains a strong, nostalgic resonance. In the United States, those bearing this classic name often observe their name day on April 23.
Name Day: Dates by Country
Shirley's name day is celebrated
on April 23 in the USA.
The Story Behind This Name
The name Shirley experienced immense popularity in the United States, primarily peaking in the 1930s and 1940s. Its rise coincided with significant cultural shifts, making it a definitive name of the mid-20th century American landscape. Since the mid-century peak, the name's usage has steadily declined, transitioning into a name that feels classic or vintage today. Historically, Shirley was occasionally used as a masculine name before it solidified its position overwhelmingly as a feminine identifier in the US. The name retains a nostalgic resonance within American society, often associated with a bygone era of classic Hollywood glamour.
Name origin and meaning
Shirley is traditionally recognized as originating from an Old English place name. It is derived from two distinct elements combined to describe a locale in the landscape. The first element generally refers to 'bright field' or 'shire/boundary,' while the second element is typically 'leah,' meaning a clearing or a woodland. Thus, the name commonly evokes the image of a place name meaning 'bright clearing' or 'shire clearing.' It established itself primarily as a surname before transitioning into a widely used given name.
Name Identity: Gender Classification
Worldwide, Shirley is predominantly classified and utilized as a feminine given name. However, historically in English-speaking countries, it was occasionally seen as a masculine name, derived from its earlier usage as a surname. This masculine usage is now extremely rare and largely obsolete in modern contexts across most regions. Therefore, contemporary identification overwhelmingly places Shirley in the female category across the Western world. While traditionally a surname used for both genders, its transition to a first name cemented its female identity.
The Name Effect: Mood, Tone & Personality
The name Shirley carries a distinct vintage mood, evoking feelings of classic elegance and mid-century charm. It projects a tone that is simultaneously strong and gentle, suggesting a personality that is both resilient and warm. The vibe is decidedly traditional, often interpreted as sophisticated yet down-to-earth. It avoids modern, futuristic, or overtly techy connotations, grounding the name firmly in a romantic, nostalgic aesthetic. This classic character lends the name an enduring, slightly formal quality.
A Perfectly Balanced Name with Unique Letters: Shirley
An isogrammic name is a unique type of name where no letter appears more than once. This characteristic makes it visually and structurally distinct, adding to its appeal. Such names are relatively rare, especially those with six or more letters, making them stand out even more. Having an isogrammic name gives it a balanced and harmonious look, making it a special choice.
Unlocking the Hidden Meaning of Name: Shirley
Your name is more than just a label - it holds a unique energy that influences your personality, destiny, and life path. Through numerology and astrology, we uncover the deeper meanings behind your name, revealing your strengths, challenges, and the energy you bring into the world.
Pythagorean Numerology: The Hidden Meaning of Name
Destiny number: 6 – The Nurturer.
Keywords: Responsibility, family, love, service, harmony, compassion.
Positive Traits: Caring, nurturing, protective, supportive, artistic.
Challenges: Can be overbearing, self-sacrificing, or struggle with boundaries.
Life Path Meaning: A role centered around caregiving, relationships, and artistic pursuits.
Chaldean Numerology: Name Energy and Spiritual Insights
First name number: 2 - The Diplomat
Traits: Cooperative, intuitive, emotional, peacemaker.
Strengths: Great mediator, sensitive, nurturing, works well in partnerships.
Challenges: Can be indecisive, overly dependent on others, or overly sensitive.
The Cosmic Secret Code: What The Name Says About You
The name is linked to the planet that governs it, shaping the name's meaning and influencing the traits associated with it.
Planet: Venus - Love, Beauty, Harmony.
Venus rules love, beauty, and relationships, making names influenced by this planet exude charm, grace, and artistic sensibilities. Those with Venus-ruled names are often aesthetically inclined, diplomatic, and naturally attractive in their demeanor. They appreciate harmony in their surroundings and relationships, often seeking balance and fairness in all aspects of life.
Name days: Name Shirley
This list shows name days in different countries where the name is written in the same form. The dates are based on traditional calendars and cultural name celebrations. If your name matches exactly, you can see when it is honored in various parts of the world.
| Country | Month | Day | Name days |
 USA | April | 23 | Brayan, Breana, Breanna, Breanne, Brian, Briana, Brianna, Brianne, Brielle, Brien, Briona, Bryan, Bryana, Bryanna, Bryant, Brynn, Bryon, Shirlee, Shirleen, Shirley |
Shirley Classic Name Day Overview
In summary, Shirley is a classically feminine name with Old English origins suggesting a 'bright clearing.' Its historical peak in the US solidified its status as a vintage, elegant identifier, though it was briefly unisex as a surname. The mood associated with Shirley is one of warm tradition and classic sophistication, making it an enduring choice. While globally recognized as female, its history reflects a strong American cultural attachment from the 1930s. For those honoring this heritage, Shirley's name day is traditionally marked on April 23 in the United States.
When Is Your Name Day?
Discover your name day quickly and easily with our name day search tool. Simply enter your name in the search box below, and you'll instantly see the exact date of your name day celebration. Find out when to celebrate and never miss a special occasion!
