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At a Glance
- Meaning
- A clearing on a bank or slope
- Origin
- Old English (place name/surname)
- Gender
- Used for both boys and girls
- Pronunciation
- SHEL-ee
Shelley is an Old English place name and surname, meaning a clearing on a bank or slope. It's pronounced SHEL-ee (/ˈʃɛl.i/), a short, soft-sounding name with a gentle, familiar rhythm.
Meaning & Origin of Shelley
Meaning: A clearing on a bank or slope.
Origin: Old English (place name/surname).
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Shelley
SHEL-eeIPA /ˈʃɛl.i/
Popularity of Shelley
Shelley peaked at #126 in 1972, when 2,384 U.S. babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #9430, with just 11 babies, so a child named Shelley today would rarely share the name with a classmate.
Names Like Shelley
These names have followed a similar path to Shelley in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Shelley mean?
A clearing on a bank or slope. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Shelley?
Shelley is pronounced SHEL-ee (IPA: /ˈʃɛl.i/).
Is Shelley a popular name right now?
Shelley peaked at #126 in 1972 and is ranked #9430 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1892–2024.)
Make Shelley Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Shelley, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Shelley? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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