Shelby

English

Etymology

From a medieval name, of obscure origin, yet likely an alteration of Middle English Selby, Salibi (“dweller of the willow place”), from salwe (“willow, sallow”) + -by (“settlement, farm”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃɛlbi/

Proper noun

Shelby

1. A surname from Old English.
2. A unisex given name transferred from the surname.
   1. A female given name transferred from the surname.
      • 2008, Raymond Smith II, An American Odyssey, →ISBN, page 70:

        As they walked, Shelby reached down and gently took Alan's hand to hold. They warmly exchanged a smile with each other just before Shelby looked down and Alan blushed. Whenever she was with Alan he made her feel like an innocent girl again.

   2. A male given name transferred from the surname.
3. A placename:
   1. A city, the county seat of Toole County, Montana, United States.
   2. A city, the county seat of Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States.
   3. A number of townships in the United States, listed under Shelby Township.
   4. Ellipsis of Shelby County.

Synonyms

• (female given name): Shelbi

Derived terms

• Shelby County
• Shelby knot
• Shelbyville

See also

• Shelbina

References

• Behindthename.com

Anagrams

• Helsby