Pronunciation: [ʃˈɛli] (IPA) 
The name "Shelly" can be spelled in a few different ways, but typically it is spelled with two L's. The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for this spelling would be /ˈʃɛli/. The first sound is a "sh" sound, followed by the short "e" sound (like in the word "ten"), then the "l" sound, and finally another short "i" sound. This spelling of "Shelly" is commonly used for both male and female names.
Shelly is a somewhat common given name that can have different meanings depending on the cultural context. As a female given name, Shelly is often derived from the English surname Shelley, which itself originated from a place name meaning "clearing on a bank" in Old English. In this sense, it can refer to someone who dwells near a clear area or bank, typically in relation to a body of water such as a river or lake.
Alternatively, Shelly can also be a diminutive form of the name Michelle or Shelley, making it a nickname or a variant spelling. This usage is more common in English-speaking countries and can be used to refer to females of various backgrounds. The name Shelly is often associated with pleasant qualities such as kindness, friendliness, and an outgoing nature.
In addition to being a given name, Shelly can also refer to a large collection of seashells. The term "shelly" is used to describe anything that is composed of or related to shells, particularly those found on beaches or in the ocean. This usage is more commonly seen in the field of biology or marine science.
Overall, Shelly is a versatile name that can represent different meanings and connotations depending on its usage and cultural context.
Abounding with shells; consisting of shells.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Shelly" is a variant spelling of the name "Shelley", which is derived from a surname. The surname "Shelley" originated in England and has Norman-French roots. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "scylfe", which means "ledge" or "shelf". This suggests that the name "Shelly" originally referred to someone who lived near a ledge or a shelf-like formation. In addition to being used as a surname, "Shelley" became popular as a given name in the 19th century due to English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was known for his romantic poetry. Over time, variations like "Shelly" have emerged as alternative spellings of the name.
