When was Shirley most popular?

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

What are the origins of the name Shirley Macfarlane?

The name Shirley Macfarlane combines two different traditions: the first name Shirley has English roots, while the surname Macfarlane originates from Celtic.

Shirley Macfarlane — 747K & 5K bearers

Shirley Macfarlane 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 Macfarlane: MacFarlane or Macfarlane is a surname derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Phàrlain (son of Parlan), shared by: Alan Macfarlane (born 1941), professor of anthropological science at Cambridge University Alan Brock MacFarlane (1924–2018), lawyer, judge and political figure in British Columbia Sir Alistair MacFarlane (1931–2021), British electrical engineer Allison Macfarlane, chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Amy MacFarlane (born 1974), former field hockey forward Andrew Macfarlane (died 1819), Anglican clergyman who served as a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church. 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: Macfarlane

Celtic

MacFarlane or Macfarlane is a surname derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Phàrlain (son of Parlan), shared by: Alan Macfarlane (born 1941), professor of anthropological science at Cambridge University Alan Brock MacFarlane (1924–2018), lawyer, judge and political figure in British Columbia Sir Alistair MacFarlane (1931–2021), British electrical engineer Allison Macfarlane, chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Amy MacFarlane (born 1974), former field hockey forward Andrew Macfarlane (died 1819), Anglican clergyman who served as a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

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

Notable People Named Shirley Macfarlane

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 Macfarlane:

8

Expression Number

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

22

Soul Urge Number

Master Builder (Master Number 22). Combines grand vision with the practical ability to achieve lasting, large-scale goals.

4

Personality Number

Stability and hard work. Represents practicality, reliability and dedication — someone who builds solid foundations.

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 Macfarlane?: The surname Macfarlane originates from Celtic. MacFarlane or Macfarlane is a surname derived from the Gaelic patronymic Mac Phàrlain (son of Parlan), shared by: Alan Macfarlane (born 1941), professor of anthropological science at Cambridge University Alan Brock MacFarlane (1924–2018), lawyer, judge and political figure in British Columbia Sir Alistair MacFarlane (1931–2021), British electrical engineer Allison Macfarlane, chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Amy MacFarlane (born 1974), former field hockey forward Andrew Macfarlane (died 1819), Anglican clergyman who served as a bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church.
What are the origins of the name Shirley Macfarlane?: The name Shirley Macfarlane combines two different traditions: the first name Shirley has English roots, while the surname Macfarlane originates from Celtic.