Standard spelling
雪莉
Xuě lì
The usual Chinese spelling of Shirley: “snow and jasmine”.
- 雪
- snow
- 莉
- jasmine
A pure transliteration: instantly readable as Shirley.
Shirley in Chinese
In Chinese, Shirley is written 雪莉 (Xuě lì), the standard spelling used in Chinese books, films and news. If you would like a name with meaning, try 秀兰 (Xiù lán): a Chinese-style name meaning a graceful orchid.
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雪莉
Xuě lì
Shirley
Choose by sound or by meaning.
There is no single official spelling of an English name in Chinese. Here is what each option says, character by character.
Name with meaning
秀兰
Xiù lán
A Chinese-style name meaning a graceful orchid.
- 秀
- graceful, elegant
- 兰
- orchid
The Chinese name of the child star Shirley Temple, still loved in China.
Single character
雪
Xuě
A single character meaning snow.
- 雪
- snow
A strong, simple mark for small artwork.
Where Shirley comes from.
Shirley was an English place name, “bright clearing”. Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley made it a girl's name.
Famous Shirleys in Chinese
- Shirley Templechild film star秀兰·邓波儿
Does your Chinese name match your birth chart?
In Chinese astrology, the moment you were born forms your birth chart, which the tradition reads for your work, your love life and the years ahead. A Chinese name is traditionally chosen to bring in the elements your chart needs.
Your free reading shows your chart in 30 seconds. The full report ($29) reads 雪莉 (Xuě lì) against it and adds three names that keep the sound of Shirley.
Read my birth chart, free30 seconds · no sign-up
雪Water莉Wood
雪莉 carries Water and Wood. That is lucky for you if your birth chart needs Water or Wood; if it needs Fire, Earth or Metal, your name is missing it.
Find out which elements your chart needs →About Shirley in Chinese
What does the name Shirley mean?
Shirley was an English place name, “bright clearing”. Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley made it a girl's name.
How do you say Shirley in Chinese?
Shirley is written 雪莉 and pronounced Xuě lì. This is the standard spelling Chinese speakers use for the name. A pure transliteration: instantly readable as Shirley.
What does 秀兰 mean?
秀兰 (Xiù lán) is a Chinese-style name for Shirley: a Chinese-style name meaning a graceful orchid. 秀 means “graceful, elegant”, 兰 means “orchid”.
Which version of Shirley is best for a tattoo?
雪莉 is how Chinese speakers will read your name. 秀兰 is shorter and every character carries a meaning, which many people prefer for body art. Write it in a readable style such as Kaishu, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.