Shirl
Primarily a girl's name of Old English origin with 1,323 recorded births. Also given to 448 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A short form of the female given name Shirley.
Shirl is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, a short form of Shirley, derived from the Old English place name meaning 'bright woodland clearing' — from scir (bright) and leah (clearing).
Shirley became enormously popular in the 1930s through child star Shirley Temple. Shirl as a standalone name captures the same warm, casual American character in its most minimal form — direct, friendly, and instantly recognizable as part of the beloved Shirley family.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Shirl belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At one syllable, it has a punchy, memorable cadence that makes an immediate impression.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Shirl’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Shirl has 43+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1934.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 23 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 124 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 796 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 288 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 75 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 17 | — |
The Story of Shirl
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1964, Shirl is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Shirl are most likely born between 1954 and 1974.
How rare is Shirl?
With 1,323 total births on record, Shirl remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1934, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1960s with 796 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Shirl by the numbers
- Would fill 28 school buses
- Meeting one Shirl per day would take 3.6 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(43 years, 1934–1983)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 5 | #11781 |
| 1982 | 5 | #12027 |
| 1981 | 5 | #11903 |
| 1980 | 8 | #8054 |
| 1979 | 8 | #7937 |
| 1977 | 6 | #9453 |
| 1976 | 6 | #9064 |
| 1975 | 16 | #4104 |
| 1974 | 7 | #7551 |
| 1973 | 17 | #3769 |
| 1972 | 25 | #2817 |
| 1971 | 20 | #3349 |
| 1970 | 19 | #3418 |
| 1969 | 37 | #2098 |
| 1968 | 29 | #2287 |
| 1967 | 49 | #1638 |
| 1966 | 60 | #1428 |
| 1965 | 91 | #1108 |
| 1964 | 210 | #715 |
| 1963 | 152 | #851 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Shirl as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Shirl has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 448 births since 1915.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shirl a boy's or girl's name?
When was Shirl most popular?
How popular is the name Shirl?
Can Shirl be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1934–1983