Shelley: Meaning, Popularity, Origin of Baby Name Shelley | Girls

Shelley

Pronunciation: SHEHL-ee (key)

Origin of the name Shelley:

Transferred use of the surname derived from the Old English Scealfleáh. The name is composed of the elements scelf (a shelf, a ledge) and lēah (wood, clearing, meadow): hence, “dweller on the clearing near the ledge.”

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US Popularity of Shelley Over Time

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Comments and insights on the name Shelley: | Edit

My first name is Shelley. I am named after my father Sheldon, who as a child in the 40's was nick name Shelley.

Personal experiences with the name Shelley: | Edit

Growing up in a small town in the 60's the teacher on the first day of school would always insist my name was Michelle and that my nick name was Shelley.. Also I could never find any thing with the correct spelling. Lots of Shelly but no Shelley. That second "e" was always getting dropped.

Nicknames for Shelley: | Edit

Shell, Shell bell, Shelley belly

Meanings and history of the name Shelley: | Edit

Shelley comes from an English surname. It can also be a nickname for Michelle or Rochelle.

Famous real-life people named Shelley: | Edit

Shelley Beattie, deaf actress and athlete who played "Siren" on the original "American Gladiators."
Shelley Winters, American actress
Shelley Duvall, American actress, best known for her role in the film "The Shining"
Shelley Long, American actress, best known for her role as neurotic waitress Diane in the 1980s TV series "Cheers".

Shelley in song, story & screen: | Edit
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Current Popularity of Shelley by State