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. It is featured in tile on the ceiling of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.[clarification needed]
Gender | Unisex |
---|---|
Language(s) | English |
Origin | |
Language(s) | Old English |
Word/name | Shelley (surname) |
Meaning | "meadow's edge" or "clearing on a bank" |
Region of origin | England |
Other names | |
Variant form(s) | Shelly |
Related names | Shirley, Michelle, Michel, Michele, Sheldon, Shelton, Rachelle, Rochelle, Shel |
Notable people with the name include: