Names / Girl names
Shelly
Current rank
#5,884
and easing
All-time peak
#89
in 1966
First recorded
1882
in U.S. data
Children named
86,600
since 1882
Popularity over time
Annual U.S. children given the name · Peak #89 in 1966 · Source: Social Security Administration
Meaning & background
Shelly is a girls' name that first shows up in 1882. 1966 marked its high point, reaching #89. These days it lands below the top 1,000, so it still feels distinctive. Over 86,600 have carried it since records began.