Shirley Ma

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Shirley Ma — English
747K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Shirley Ma is a name that combines English origins. The first name Shirley is a feminine given name of English origin. Shirley is a given name and a surname originating from the English place-name Shirley, which is derived from the Old English elements scire ("shire") or scīr ("bright, clear") and lēah ("wood, clearing, meadow, enclosure"). The name makes reference to the open space where the moot (an early English assembly of freemen which met to administer justice and discuss community issues) was held. The surname Ma: Ma (simplified Chinese: 马; traditional Chinese: 馬; pinyin: Mǎ) is a Chinese family name. The surname literally means 'horse'. As of 2006, it ranks as the 14th most common Chinese surname in mainland China. In 2019 it was the 13th most common surname in mainland China. A 2013 study found it to be the 13th most common, shared by 17,200,000 people or 1.290% of the population, with the province with the most being Henan. It is the 52nd name on the Hundred Family Surnames poem. From He (surname) adopted name "Ma" (馬), the first word of the district Ma Fu, as their surname. Shirley is a well-known first name, carried by approximately 747K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Shirley reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Shirley

English

Shirley is a given name and a surname originating from the English place-name Shirley, which is derived from the Old English elements scire ("shire") or scīr ("bright, clear") and lēah ("wood, clearing, meadow, enclosure"). The name makes reference to the open space where the moot (an early English assembly of freemen which met to administer justice and discuss community issues) was held.

Surname: Ma

Vietnamese

Ma (simplified Chinese: 马; traditional Chinese: 馬; pinyin: Mǎ) is a Chinese family name. The surname literally means 'horse'. As of 2006, it ranks as the 14th most common Chinese surname in mainland China. In 2019 it was the 13th most common surname in mainland China. A 2013 study found it to be the 13th most common, shared by 17,200,000 people or 1.290% of the population, with the province with the most being Henan. It is the 52nd name on the Hundred Family Surnames poem. From He (surname) adopted name "Ma" (馬), the first word of the district Ma Fu, as their surname.

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Geographic Distribution

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

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

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

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Shirley Ma

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 Shirley Ma:

11
Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

6
Soul Urge Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

5
Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

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 Shirley?
The first name Shirley originates from English. Shirley is a given name and a surname originating from the English place-name Shirley, which is derived from the Old English elements scire ("shire") or scīr ("bright, clear") and lēah ("wood, clearing, meadow, enclosure"). The name makes reference to the open space where the moot (an early English assembly of freemen which met to administer justice and discuss community issues) was held.
When was Shirley most popular?
The name Shirley reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Ma?
The surname Ma originates from Vietnamese. Ma (simplified Chinese: 马; traditional Chinese: 馬; pinyin: Mǎ) is a Chinese family name. The surname literally means 'horse'. As of 2006, it ranks as the 14th most common Chinese surname in mainland China. In 2019 it was the 13th most common surname in mainland China. A 2013 study found it to be the 13th most common, shared by 17,200,000 people or 1.290% of the population, with the province with the most being Henan. It is the 52nd name on the Hundred Family Surnames poem. From He (surname) adopted name "Ma" (馬), the first word of the district Ma Fu, as their surname.
What are the origins of the name Shirley Ma?
The name Shirley Ma combines two different traditions: the first name Shirley has English roots, while the surname Ma originates from Vietnamese.
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