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Yah, why not? I always thought Shirley was cute after reading Anne of Green Gables. Her name is Anne Shirley and I would use it to honor my love of the character if I didn't have other names higher in the running.

It still seems really dated to me. When I hear the name Shirley, I picture a middle-aged woman, but honoring Shirley Temple is such a nice idea.

It's so dated. Whether or not it's OK depends upon how the girl will feel about having a dated name. Overall, I would recommend using Shirley as a middle name rather than a first name to honor Mrs. Black.

Honestly it would be okay to use Shirley even if it wasn't a tribute. Although it is dated, it is still a valid name.

Would that be Ms Temple the Republican politician or Ms Temple the tap-dancing moppet?

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Shirley is a pretty name in its own right, and should be far enough away from both the Mses Temple for there to be no or very little association left. But if you want an association ... if it really makes sense to you to do that ... then carry right on. Why not?

Tons of people have used Shirley as a tribute already - there is even a Shirley Club out there.

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I asked about this name a couple months ago because I love it. The responses seemed to be mostly against using the name, as many still find it too dated or borning.

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However, I find it fresh and frilly, with a dated chic-ness and a pleasant sound. I don't think you would meet many little Shirleys right now, which is disappointing because it's a cute name.

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I am a bit biased, as my name was supposed to be Shirley (after Miss Temple), but my father vetoed it, so I became Heidi... after my mother's favorite Temple-character.

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In any case... with or without the curley-haired reference, I find Shirley to be a great name. Using the name specifically because of the actress is a bit expected though. Even though she was an incredibly impressive woman throughout her life.

Shirley's definitely a grandma or even great-grandma name now. As a tribute to Shirley Temple it's nice but seems dated to the point of kitschiness. I mean, Shirley Temple was big in the thirties and probably a lot of girls back then were named Shirley after her, or at least because she made the name prominent. But Shirley Temple hasn't been "hot" for that long, even though she went on to a fairly prominent career and is still loved nostalgically.

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That being said, it's really kind of a cute name. My daughter has a friend named Shirley who is a year or two older than she is, maybe about ten. Shirley's family is from Jamaica.

Shirley has a pretty sound and a little Shirley would be breath of fresh air. There is a modern Hebrew name Shirli which while having a different meaning and origin may act as an alternative, perhaps. I would pair Shirley with something timeless and classic, or else something like Vivienne or Raine.
Had to edit because I realised my other mn suggestions rhymed!

This message was edited 1/6/2015, 1:25 AM