Sherlyn is a modern American blend of Sheryl or Shirley with the ending -lyn, which is usually explained from the Welsh word for "lake"; Shirley itself is an English place name meaning "bright meadow". The name became a favorite in Mexican American families after the Mexican actress and singer Sherlyn rose to fame in telenovelas in the early 2000s. Sherlyn entered the top 1000 in 2003, peaked at number 367 in 2006 and has declined since, to number 1143 in 2015 and number 2480 in 2025 with 72 girls.