name
Shirley
SHUR-lee
name
1
A given name, originally an English surname meaning "bright meadow," popular for girls from the 1920s to 1950s.
"Her grandmother was named Shirley, after the silent-film star."
How to Use Shirley
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional English given name and surname.
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Her grandmother was named _____, after the silent-film star.
Etymology
From an English place name combining Old English sċīr ("bright" or, in place names, related to shire) and lēah ("meadow"); later used as a surname and then a given name.