Holding steady.
Popularity of Glee since 1893
Babies named Glee per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1947, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Glee's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 10 |
| 1900s | 26 |
| 1910s | 118 |
| 1920s | 144 |
| 1930s | 132 |
| 1940s | 156 |
| 1950s | 116 |
| 1960s | 68 |
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Glee is a rarity among word names, appearing in U.S. Social Security records as a given name as early as 1893. Its highest recorded usage came in 1907, the peak year, during a period when virtue names and uplifting vocabulary names were in vogue. Since then, it has remained extremely uncommon, with no recorded births in many recent years. The name exemplifies the brief popularity of such names in the early 1900s, contrasting with more enduring word names like Grace or Joy. Today, Glee is virtually absent from naming data, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with a positive meaning and historical resonance.
Glee is a rare English name taken directly from the vocabulary word glee, meaning 'joy' or 'merriment.' Its use as a given name likely reflects the Victorian fashion for word names evoking positive virtues or emotions. The name was first recorded in U.S. data in 1893, and saw modest use in the early 20th century, with a peak year of 1907.
Sibling names for Glee
Names that share Glee's style, for a brother or sister.
