Shelley (name)
| Pronunciation | /ˈʃɛli/ |
|---|---|
| Gender | Unisex |
| Language(s) | English |
| Origin | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Word/name | Shelley (various places) |
| Derivation | Old English: scylf + lēaf |
| Meaning | 'clearing on a bank/shelf' |
| Region of origin | England |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | Shelly |
| Related names | Shirley, Michelle, Michel, Michele, Sheldon, Shelton, Rachelle, Rochelle, Shel |
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.
Notable people with the name include: