Shley is of American origin, derived from the English surname Ashley which was originally an Old English place name meaning "ash tree clearing". It has gained popularity as a given name in recent years, particularly for girls. However, it can also be used as a unisex name. The variant spelling Shley is less common but adds a unique twist to the classic name Ashley. In terms of popularity, while Ashley has been among the top 1000 baby names in the United States since the 1980s, Shley has not yet achieved the same level of widespread use. Nonetheless, it remains a distinctive and appealing option for parents seeking a modern, unisex name with a charming twist.
The name Shley experienced a steady rise in popularity from 1983 to 1987 with peaks of 26 births in 1987, followed by a significant decline with only 5 births recorded in 1990.