Declining since 1991, #3,211 for girls today.
Popularity of Gladys since 1880
Babies named Gladys per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gladys's real moment was 1901.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,420 |
| 1890s | 13,622 |
| 1900s | 30,285 |
| 1910s | 65,812 |
| 1920s | 72,561 |
| 1930s | 34,762 |
| 1940s | 19,063 |
| 1950s | 12,181 |
| 1960s | 5,948 |
| 1970s | 2,766 |
| 1980s | 2,509 |
| 1990s | 2,918 |
| 2000s | 1,767 |
| 2010s | 745 |
| 2020s | 359 |
Meaning & origin
Gladys was a popular name in the early 20th century, peaking in 1901. It ranked 3,211 in 2025, with about 1 in 32,801 newborns receiving the name. Since 1991, its usage has been falling, and it is now uncommon. The name was most frequently given in California and Texas. Though its etymology is debated, Gladys has a classic turn-of-the-century feel. Parents today may choose it as a vintage revival or a family honor name.
The name Gladys is traditionally considered Welsh, possibly derived from 'gwlad' (country, nation) or a feminine form of 'Gwladus'. An alternative theory links it to the Latin 'gladius' (sword), but this is less widely accepted. It gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Where Gladys is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Gladys” around the world
Where Gladys lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gladdy, Glad
Variants: Gwladys, Gladuse
Sibling names for Gladys
Names that share Gladys's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Mabel, Edith, Ethel, Florence, Beatrice, Bernice, Doris, Gloria, Leola, Lois, Mamie, Marion, Mildred, Phyllis, Alene, Berneice, Berniece, Caryl, Dorris, Ethelyn, Lorene, Magaly, Myrtis, Vernice, Arlyne, Burnice, Dorthey, Ethelene, Fredda, Fredia, Inell, Laurice, Majorie, Phillis, Phylis, Aldine, Annell, Berdine, Bernece, Bernyce, Ceil, Claris, Clydie, Eather, Ethyle, Hellon, Ilean, Imagene, Jestine, Lajean, Lurlene, Maudine, Thressa, Valjean, Berdell, Berline, Beverlie, Clorine, Dorthie, Ethelmae, Floyce, Gladine, Jilda, Lutisha, Mazell, Melvine, Merdis, Normalee, Ruthell, Shirely, Uldine, Verniece, Willodene, Arliene, Estalene, Ardine, Avenell, Clarece, Doryce, Eldine, Elgene, Erdine, Ethell, Gaytha, Glendine, Margerie, Margree, Rether, Searcy, Unice, Verneice, Waneda
Brothers: Harold, Clarence, Walter, Arthur, Ernest, Bert, Clifton, Herbert, Lester, Buford, Burton, Delmer, Ervin, Gaylord, Lavern, Linwood, Mervin, Orvil, Rayford, Artis, Burdette, Delroy, Deward, Dorman, Edsel, Garold, Harrell, Lennis, Levern, Leverne, Malvin, Manford, Merwin, Prentice, Reginal, Winton, Bland, Bufford, Burlin, Burnis, Burtis, Carrel, Dearl, Delmon, Delmont, Deloy, Denson, Dickson, Donis, Doyce, Duard, Euel, Glenford, Hulon, Hurbert, Leanard, Loyde, Medford, Melburn, Melford, Melven, Milfred, Raynold, Waldon, Wilbern, Winferd, Blease, Burdell, Cliford, Crandall, Deloss, Eural, Freemon, Gareld, Garnie, Gervis, Hargis, Hearl, Huel, Hurman, Larnce, Lecil, Ledford, Leldon, Lenward, Lynford, Milledge, Norville, Purnell, Reg, Rollen, Shermon, Thurmond, Veldon, Burlie, Garl, Leston, Rual, Carless, Cottrell, Deloyd, Densel, Densil, Derl, Dewell, Ervine, Floyed, Glyndon, Halford, Hilman, Hubbert, Hurshell, Laymond, Lorance, Loyed, Luvern, Merion, Mervil, Normal, Orvile, Wildon
