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Gladys

♀ Girl

Gladys Pronunciation

Gladys is pronounced GLAD-is /ˈɡlæd.ɪs/High

Meaning: From Welsh Gwladus, possibly from gwlad, 'country, land', or a Welsh form of ClaudiaMedium

In 30 seconds: A Welsh medieval queen's name that conquered Edwardian England and rode the Midnight Train with Motown: Gladys waits, gloriously unfashionable, for her second act.

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Origin MediumWelsh

MeaningFrom Welsh Gwladus, possibly from gwlad, 'country, land', or a Welsh form of Claudia

U.S. rank (2024)#3453 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births45 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1920

Total births (all-time)≈ 266,666

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Gladys anglicizes Welsh Gwladus, a name borne by medieval Welsh royalty including the daughter of the legendary King Brychan; its root is debated between gwlad, 'country, land', and a Welsh rendering of Latin Claudia. Victorian novels carried it out of Wales, and by 1900 it ranked among the English-speaking world's favorites.

Gladys Knight gave the name its soul-music immortality. After near-total eclipse, it now sits where Mabel and Edith sat a decade ago — one brave generation away from a comeback.

Did you know? Gladys Knight earned her title 'Empress of Soul' across seven decades of performing — she sang at the 1952 Ted Mack Amateur Hour at age eight.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name — Gladys — etymology, debated

Variations

GwladusGwladysGladyce

Nicknames

GladdieGlad

Famous Bearers

★Gladys Knight (1944–present)
American singer, the 'Empress of Soul', leader of Gladys Knight and the Pips.

If you like Gladys…

Mabel— a fellow great-grandmother name returning to favor

Edith— the Edwardian companion already revived

Doris— another midcentury staple awaiting its turn

Gwendolyn— the Welsh sister with the same heritage

→ See all names like Gladys

Browse the whole category: All Welsh names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Gladys?

Gladys is pronounced GLAD-is (/ˈɡlæd.ɪs/). Press play above to hear Gladys said aloud.

How do you say Gladys?

Gladys is said GLAD-is (/ˈɡlæd.ɪs/). Press play above to hear Gladys said aloud.

What does the name Gladys mean?

Gladys comes from Welsh Gwladus, possibly from gwlad, 'country, land', or as a Welsh form of Claudia; the origin is debated.

Is Gladys a boy or girl name?

Gladys is a girl's name.

How popular is Gladys?

Gladys is rare for newborns today, a century past its Edwardian peak and ripe for revival.