Name Shelby
Shelby is a feminine name with English, Old English origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.
Meaning of the name Shelby
Origins and Core Meaning
Shelby is a versatile name with multiple etymological roots. Its primary origin lies in the Old English word "shelf", which referred to a ledge or a piece of furniture used for storage. Another possible root is the surname of English origin, "Shelbourne", derived from the Old English "sheldeburne", meaning "ledge brook". The name evolved over time from these roots, becoming a popular choice for both boys and girls.
Detailed Insights on Shelby
Origins
Old English (from "shelf") - English surname (from "Shelbourne").
Symbolic Representation
Shelby symbolizes stability, protection, and a sense of home. It represents a foundation upon which one can build a fulfilling life. The name evokes images of a solid structure, a place where one can feel safe and secure. It also signifies a connection to nature, as the original meaning of "shelf" refers to a natural ledge or rock formation.
Personality Traits
The name Shelby exudes a sense of warmth and stability. It invokes images of a tranquil shelter, a place of comfort and protection. It evokes a feeling of belonging and a deep connection to one's roots. At the same time, Shelby carries a hint of independence and strength, like a sturdy shelf that supports and showcases valuable objects.
Key Personality Traits
Personal Meanings of the Name Shelby
Shelby Overview & Analysis
Gender statistics
Shelby is predominantly a girl's name with a strong feminine identity. Among 162,077 people named Shelby, 150,463 are female and 11,614 are male resulting in a 92.8% female and just 7.2% male. This pronounced gender imbalance underscores the name Shelby's strong feminine identity.
Data Explanation
This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Shelby's gender association.
Popularity
Shelby classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 471 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Shelby is nearly 0.05%, or about one in 2,000+ people.
Based on the latest data from 2021 (295), 2022 (12), 2023 (19), Shelby's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is -10.29%. The name Shelby was most popular in 1991, making up 0.31% of baby names (or about one in 300+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 1911 with a usage rate of 0.0003%.
Country-Specific Prevalence
| Flag | Country | Rank | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 244 | 0.07% | |
| United States | 452 | 0.05% | |
| United Kingdom | 777 | 0.02% | |
| Australia | 1,128 | 0.003% | |
| New Zealand | 1,145 | 0.009% |
People named Shelby are predominantly found in Canada (CA), particularly in Alberta (AL), where it makes up 0.1% of the population.
Data Source
The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:
- United States: Social Security Administration (https://www.ssa.gov/)
- Canada: Government of Ontario (https://data.ontario.ca/). Alberta’s top baby names (https://www.alberta.ca/). B.C.'s Most Popular Baby Names (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/)
- United Kingdom: Office for National Statistics (https://www.ons.gov.uk/)
- Australia: Government of South Australia (https://data.sa.gov.au/). Government of New South Wales (https://www.nsw.gov.au/). Northern Territory Government (https://nt.gov.au/)
- New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (https://www.data.govt.nz/)
- Supplemental Sources: To enrich our data-driven approach, we supplement our primary sources with information from credible websites, academic publications, and expert opinions. This ensures that we provide a well-rounded perspective on baby names.
To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.
Additional Information on Shelby
Pronunciation and Phonetics
- Name
- Shelby
- Pronunciation
- shel-by
- SHEHLBIY
- shel-bee
- SHEEELey
- IPA Notation
- ʃɛˈlbi
- Syllable
- Stressed:Shel-by
- Syllable Count:2 Syllables
Chinese Translation of the Name Shelby
- Translation
- 谢尔比
- Pronunce
- (PinYin) : xiè ěr bǐ
- Feng Shui
- 谢Metal尔Fire比Water
Shelby in Numerology
| S | H | E | L | B | Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 7 | ||||
| 1 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):
Shelby's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 3
- You derive satisfaction from your passion for creativity and disrupting limits and conventional ways.
- You desire joy and happiness for yourself and others. You believe that life is meant to be fun, so live it to the fullest.
- You are motivated by people, conversation, laughter, entertainment, and art.
Shelby's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 5
- You have a need to express yourself and break free from financial limitations. Your body is capable of great things.
- You are often misunderstood, shy, or embarrassed. You should find comfortable and free jobs. The friends you hang out with feel happy, comfortable, not tied down, and not bound by rules.
Shelby's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 8
- You demonstrate great drive, determination, leadership ability, responsibility, and strength. You are organized, successful, and have a strong presence.
- You are capable of winning any competition and possess the courage to take risks.
Famous People Named Shelby
- Shelby Lynne (American singer-songwriter)
- Shelby Rogers (American tennis player)
- Shelby Foote (American historian and author)
- Shelby County, Tennessee (home of Memphis)
User-Submitted Information about Shelby
Yeahboiz15
Scrolling through these comments made me sad :(
My name is Shelby, and I’ve never been a fan so I’ve always called myself “Bee” or “Shel”. I’ve grown to love my name as it’s so beautiful and unique to who I am and my personality. But this forum has just made me realise, should I hate my name after all?Drtgq3w4tw34
Shelbymc, don’t listen to these stupid comments, your name is amazing! It is unique and not like the other names that are getting boring, you should feel proud you have a name that is different.
Shotolla
My former-mother-in-law Shelby Jean, was born in 1940, and was a very sweet woman who had had a difficult, poor childhood. When my youngest granddaughter was born in 2007, she was named after her great-grandmother and was the last great-grandchild born before Shelby Jean passed in 2008.
Conclusion
The name Shelby encapsulates a rich tapestry of meanings and emotions. It signifies stability, warmth, and a deep sense of connection. Its versatility and timeless quality make it a fitting choice for individuals who seek a name that reflects their strength, independence, and unwavering spirit.
Bulldog159
As this is my name I can tell you that growing up "willow farm" was not what this name meant. The meaning that use to be in all the name books and the one I believe to be correct is "cliff dweller." It's funny how people tend to touch names up a bit when they become popular, willow farm is a bit nicer to swallow I suppose but it isn't correct.
Hole888544
I love the name Shelby. I think it's really cute (in a good way). This name reminds me of seashells and pearls, and corals.
Epic_rembolt
I was also named after the Steel Magnolias character, Shelby. Such an amazing actor, one of my favorites. Plus the plot of the movie was amazing and they chose such great names for the characters ;)