Shelby
Shelby is an English surname derived from Old Norse, meaning 'willow farm' or 'estate with willows.' Originally used as a place name in England, it transitioned to a given name and became popular as a unisex option, though more commonly used for girls in recent decades.
Current Popularity
Popularity over time
Dashed bar: 2026 (projected): 440. How this is calculated
Yearly values
- 2011: 1,462
- 2012: 1,447
- 2013: 1,239
- 2014: 1,114
- 2015: 1,080
- 2016: 986
- 2017: 836
- 2018: 738
- 2019: 634
- 2020: 606
- 2021: 556
- 2022: 503
- 2023: 448
- 2024: 446
- 2025: 444
- 2026 (projected): 440
Good to Know
- •Easy to spell and pronounce across English-speaking countries
- •Has a Southern charm appeal, partly due to cultural associations
- •Works well as both a first and middle name
- •Gender-neutral option that leans feminine in contemporary use
- •Multiple spelling variations exist
Similar Names
Famous People
Shelby Lynne
Grammy-winning country music singer
Shelby Rabara
Actress and dancer
Shelby Rogers
Professional tennis player
Shelby Foote
Historian and novelist
Statistics
148,830
Total births since 1880
1991
Peak year
Discovery
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