How to pronounce the name Shirley
Pronunciation guide for Shirley
ARPA
SH ER1 L IY0
IPA
ˈʃərli

Pronunciation Breakdown

Detailed phonetic analysis of how to say Shirley

Syllables (2)

SH ER1 L IY0

Bold syllables indicate primary stress

Sound Breakdown

SH
she (ʃ)
ER1
hurt (ɝ)
L
lee (l)
IY0
eat (i)

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

ˈʃərli

Standard international representation

Pronunciation Tips

Shirley has 2 syllables. Take your time with each part.

• Emphasize the syllable marked in bold for correct pronunciation.

• Contains sounds that may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Name Statistics
Key metrics and characteristics of Shirley

Structure

Character Count
7
Syllable Count
2
Vowel Ratio
29%
Name Family
shir

Usability

Pronunciation Difficulty4/10

Moderate difficulty

International Friendliness10/10

Works well across languages

DNA profile of the name Shirley
Unique character and personality of the name Shirley

Name Personality

The Global
Global
Adaptable
Modern

Key Characteristics

Length
Medium

Balanced and versatile

Rhythm
Flowing

Balanced rhythm

Sound
Strong

Consonant-rich and crisp

Ease
Moderate

May require practice

Global
Universal

Works across cultures

Heritage
shir

Part of this name family

Letter Frequency

s×1
h×1
i×1

Most frequent letters in Shirley

Visual Pattern

Tall bars = vowels, Short bars = consonants

Name Statistics

📊
Syllables
2 syllables
🗣️
Ease of Pronunciation
Easy
4/10 difficulty
🌍
International Friendliness
Excellent
10/10 global ease
Pronunciation Difficulty Comparison

How does Shirley compare to the average name?

Shirley4/10 😐
4.0
Average Name5.0/10
5.0

Shirley is easier than average by 1.0 points.

Difficulty Scale:

Very Easy (02)
Easy (24)Shirley
Moderate (46)
Challenging (68)
Difficult (911)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Name Family

Names related to Shirley (root: shir)

Current Name

Shirley

Related Names (15)

Short variations:

Shir
Shira
Shire

Medium variations:

Shirae
Shirah
Shirahn
Shiraj
Shiran
Shiraz
Shirberg
Shiree
Shireen
Shireena
Shireka
Shirel

Shirley belongs to a family of 30 related names.Showing 15 most common variations.

What does the name Shirley mean?
The meaning and origin of Shirley

The name Shirley has no known meanings.

Name Numerology
Numerological analysis and letter patterns for Shirley

Life Path Number

6
The Nurturer

Compassionate souls who find fulfillment in caring for others and creating harmony.

Caring
Responsible
Protective
Harmonious

Most Common Letters

s×1
h×1
i×1
r×1
l×1

Sound Composition

Vowels
2(29%)
Consonants
5(71%)

Consonant-heavy names tend to sound more crisp and strong

Numerology Breakdown

s1
h8
i9
r9
l3
e5
y7

Each letter is assigned a number (1-9). These are added together and reduced to find your Life Path Number.

Notable People Named Shirley
Famous individuals named Shirley
👤

Shirley Dinsdale

American actress, ventriloquist, and television and radio personality (1926-1999)

Born: 1926

👤

Shirley McKague

American congresswoman in Idaho (1935-2020)

Born: 1935

👤

Shirley Murdock

American R&B singer-songwriter

Born: 1957

👤

Shirley McKie

Scottish police detective

Born: 1962

👤

Shirley Mitchell

American actress (1919-2013)

Born: 1919

👤

Shirley Hemphill

American actress and comedian (1947–1999)

Born: 1947

👤

Shirley Majors

American football coach (1913-1981)

Born: 1913

👤

Shirley Grey

actress (1902-1981)

Born: 1902

How popular is the name Shirley?
Popularity rankings for Shirley around the world
CountryGenderRankYears
Australiagirl#991961-1961
Canadagirl#751965-1965
Francegirl#4812003-2003
United Statesboy#9701957-1957
United Statesgirl#9082008-2008
Country Comparison
How Shirley ranks across different countries

Showing top 5 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)

What words rhyme with the name Shirley?
Rhyming words for Shirley
adderley
akerley
birley
brearley
burley
burly
cearley
curley
curly
durley
earley
earlie
early
erly
girlie
gurley
hurley
hurly
kearley
kerley

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce Shirley?
IPA: /ˈʃərli/ ARPA: SH ER1 L IY0 This name has a moderate pronunciation difficulty.
How many syllables are in Shirley?
Shirley has 2 syllables.
Is Shirley easy to pronounce?
Shirley is relatively easy to pronounce for most English speakers. It doesn't contain uncommon sound combinations.
Is Shirley easy to pronounce internationally?
Yes, Shirley is extremely international-friendly (10/10). It uses sounds that are common across many languages and cultures, making it easy for people worldwide to pronounce.
Who are some famous people named Shirley?
There are 100 notable people named Shirley. This name has significant cultural presence and recognition.
What names are similar to Shirley?
Names similar to Shirley include: Shir, Shira, Shirae, Shirah, Shirahn. These names share similar sounds or roots.
Is Shirley a good baby name?
Shirley is a good baby name, particularly if you value names that are internationally friendly.
Is Shirley a boy or girl name?
Shirley can be used for any gender, though usage varies by culture and region. Check the rankings section to see gender distribution patterns.
How do you spell Shirley?
The name is spelled S-h-i-r-l-e-y. Common spelling variations include: Shir, Shira, Shirae.
What are common nicknames for Shirley?
Common nicknames for Shirley include: Shi, Shir, Shiry. Nicknames often develop naturally based on personal preference and family traditions.
What does the name Shirley mean?
The name Shirley has various meanings depending on cultural origin. Names often carry rich cultural, historical, and linguistic significance passed down through generations. Different cultures and languages may attribute different meanings to the same name, reflecting diverse traditions and histories.
What middle names go well with Shirley?
Middle names that pair well with Shirley include: Elizabeth, Alexander, Benjamin. Consider the flow and rhythm when saying the full name aloud. Names with different syllable counts often create a pleasant cadence.
What sibling names pair well with Shirley?
Sibling names that pair well with Shirley include: Shir, Shira, Shirae, Shirah. These names share similar origins, sounds, or cultural backgrounds, creating a cohesive family naming theme.
Will teachers be able to pronounce Shirley?
Most teachers will be able to pronounce Shirley correctly after hearing it once or twice. It's relatively phonetic and doesn't contain unusual sound combinations. You may need to provide pronunciation guidance at the start of each school year.
What culture is the name Shirley from?
Shirley has a multicultural heritage, with potential roots in multiple linguistic and cultural traditions. Many names have complex etymological paths, being borrowed, adapted, and adopted across different cultures throughout history. This cultural journey often enriches the name with multiple layers of meaning and significance, reflecting the interconnected nature of human societies and their naming traditions.
Is Shirley suitable for a professional career?
Shirley is well-suited for professional contexts. It's internationally friendly for global careers and appropriate length for business cards and email addresses. Names that are easy to say, spell, and remember often have advantages in career settings, though ultimately competence matters far more than name choice.
Is Shirley a long or short name?
Shirley is a short name with 7 letters (2 syllables). Short names are practical and easy to use in everyday contexts. They rarely need nicknames.
What are common misspellings of Shirley?
Common spelling variations of Shirley include: Shirae, Shire, Shiree. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between Shirley and Shir?
Shirley and Shir are related names that share similar origins or sounds. Shirley is spelled Shirley while Shir is spelled Shir. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.