Shirley

Shirley is a feminine given name derived from the English place name Shirley, which means 'bright meadow' or 'bright clearing' in Old English. The name combines the elements 'scir' meaning 'bright' and 'leah' meaning 'meadow' or 'clearing'.

Shirley was originally a surname derived from this place name, but it became popular as a feminine given name in the late 19th century. The name is often associated with the fictional character Shirley Temple, the famous child actress of the 1930s.

While the name Shirley is traditionally considered a feminine name, it has occasionally been used as a masculine name as well, though much less frequently.

The name Shirley has been relatively popular in English-speaking countries throughout the 20th century and is still in use today, though its popularity has declined somewhat in recent decades.