Shelly
Meaning: Meadow on a ledge — a name of depth
Origin: English/French
Gender: Girl
Rank in Ireland: #1394
Total births: 44
History: The story of Shelly in Ireland winds through County Derry and into the heart of Castlebar. It calls to mind porter cake at a wake shared among neighbors. The name endures like the peat bogs of the midlands, rooted and ever-renewing.
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Look at the data
Every number here comes directly from Ireland’s birth records. No estimates, no averages — just the counts.
| Current rank (2016) | #868 |
| Babies named Shelly in 2016 | 3 |
| Total recorded in Ireland | 44 |
| Peak year | 1997 (9 babies) |
| Highest rank ever | #326 |
| Years in records | 1973–2016 (12 years of data) |
Frequently asked about Shelly
What does the name Shelly mean?
Shelly means “Meadow on a ledge — a name of depth” from English/French roots.
What is the origin of the name Shelly?
Shelly has English/French origin. The traditional meaning is “Meadow on a ledge — a name of depth”.
How popular is Shelly in Ireland?
Shelly ranked #868 in Ireland in 2016 — given to 3 babies that year.
Is Shelly a boy or girl name?
Shelly is predominantly a girls' name in Ireland — over 90% of Shellys in registered births are female.
How long has Shelly been recorded in Ireland?
Shelly appears in birth records in Ireland across 12 years — from 1973 through 2016.