Sheree is a variant of Sherry or Cherie, English given names with distinct origins. The name was popularized in the mid-20th century, notably by American actress Sheree North (born Dawn Shirley Crang, 1932–2005). Her stage name helped cement this particular spelling in popular culture.EtymologySheree is ultimately derived from the French word chérie, meaning “darling,” from the past participle of chérir (“to cherish”). It may also be associated with the English word sherry, a fortified wine named after the Spanish town of Jerez. The name entered English usage in the 1920s, influenced by similar-sounding names and Colette’s novels Chéri (1920) and The Last of Chéri (1926), where it appears as a masculine name. Additionally, it coincides with an Irish surname Anglicized from Gaelic Mac Searraigh, meaning “descendant of Searrach” (a byname meaning “foal”).UsageSheree has also been used as a diminutive of names containing the Cher- or Sher- sounds, such as Cheryl, Sharon, or Cherilyn. The name was particularly well-used in North America from the mid-1920s through the early 1990s, reaching peak popularity between the mid-1940s and mid-1970s. Spelling variants such as Cherie, Cherry, Shari, Sherie, Sherrey, Sherri, Sherrie, and Sherry were all fashionable during this period.Notable BearersNotable individuals named Sheree include:Sheree Bautista (born 1981), Filipino singer, actress, dancer, and modelSheree Bradford-Lea, Canadian freelance cartoonist and mixed-media artistSheree Fitch (born 1956), Canadian children's authorSheree Harris (born 1959), New Zealand cricketerSheree Gray (born 1937), American theologianRelated NamesVariants of Sheree include Cheri, Cherie, Cherryl, Cheryl, Shari, and Sharyl. Diminutive forms include Cher and Cherette.Meaning: Derived from French “chérie” (darling) or the wine sherryOrigin: English, ultimately from FrenchType: Given name (female)Usage Regions: Primarily English-speaking, especially North America