When was Shelley most popular?

The name Shelley reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Shelley Willis?

The name Shelley Willis combines two different traditions: the first name Shelley has English roots, while the surname Willis originates from French.

Shelley Willis — 76K & 130K bearers

Shelley Willis is a name that combines English origins. The first name Shelley is a feminine given name of English origin. Shelley is a given name and surname. In many baby name books, Shelley is listed as meaning 'meadow's edge' or 'clearing on a bank'. It is Old English in origin. As with many other names (Courtney, Ashley, etc.), Shelley is today a name given almost exclusively to girls after historically being male. It is commonly used as a nickname for Michelle (and formerly as a variant of Shirley). Shelley is also a transferred surname used by those in Essex, Suffolk and Yorkshire, particularly in settlements where a wood/clearing was beside a ledge or hillside. Shelly is a common alternative spelling. The surname Willis: Willis is a surname of English, Norman French, and Scottish origin. The oldest extant family of the name, the Willes family of Warwickshire, formerly of Newbold Comyn and Fenny Compton, has used the spellings 'Willis,' 'Willys,' and 'Wyllys' and appear in records from 1330. In this case, the name derives from the name de Welles (under which name the family were Lincolnshire noblemen) which comes from the Norman name de Vallibus (meaning 'of the valley'), which in turn was derived from the Vaux family tree. Shelley is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 76K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Shelley reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Shelley

English

Shelley is a given name and surname. In many baby name books, Shelley is listed as meaning 'meadow's edge' or 'clearing on a bank'. It is Old English in origin. As with many other names (Courtney, Ashley, etc.), Shelley is today a name given almost exclusively to girls after historically being male. It is commonly used as a nickname for Michelle (and formerly as a variant of Shirley). Shelley is also a transferred surname used by those in Essex, Suffolk and Yorkshire, particularly in settlements where a wood/clearing was beside a ledge or hillside. Shelly is a common alternative spelling.

Surname: Willis

French

Willis is a surname of English, Norman French, and Scottish origin. The oldest extant family of the name, the Willes family of Warwickshire, formerly of Newbold Comyn and Fenny Compton, has used the spellings 'Willis,' 'Willys,' and 'Wyllys' and appear in records from 1330. In this case, the name derives from the name de Welles (under which name the family were Lincolnshire noblemen) which comes from the Norman name de Vallibus (meaning 'of the valley'), which in turn was derived from the Vaux family tree.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Shelley is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 52%

United Kingdom 27%

Australia 13%

Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Shelley by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Shelley Willis

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Shelley Willis:

8

Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

1

Soul Urge Number

Leadership and independence. This number suggests a self-reliant, ambitious and pioneering personality that forges its own path.

7

Personality Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Shelley?: The first name Shelley originates from English. Shelley is a given name and surname. In many baby name books, Shelley is listed as meaning 'meadow's edge' or 'clearing on a bank'. It is Old English in origin. As with many other names (Courtney, Ashley, etc.), Shelley is today a name given almost exclusively to girls after historically being male. It is commonly used as a nickname for Michelle (and formerly as a variant of Shirley). Shelley is also a transferred surname used by those in Essex, Suffolk and Yorkshire, particularly in settlements where a wood/clearing was beside a ledge or hillside. Shelly is a common alternative spelling.
When was Shelley most popular?: The name Shelley reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Willis?: The surname Willis originates from French. Willis is a surname of English, Norman French, and Scottish origin. The oldest extant family of the name, the Willes family of Warwickshire, formerly of Newbold Comyn and Fenny Compton, has used the spellings 'Willis,' 'Willys,' and 'Wyllys' and appear in records from 1330. In this case, the name derives from the name de Welles (under which name the family were Lincolnshire noblemen) which comes from the Norman name de Vallibus (meaning 'of the valley'), which in turn was derived from the Vaux family tree.
What are the origins of the name Shelley Willis?: The name Shelley Willis combines two different traditions: the first name Shelley has English roots, while the surname Willis originates from French.