Gleb

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Gleb

Pronounced GLEB /ˈɡlɛb/Medium

Meaning: Gleb is a Russian and Slavic boy's name derived from the Old Norse Gudleifr, meaning heir or descendant of God; it was borne by an early Russian saint.Medium

In 30 seconds: Gleb is a Russian boy's name from the Old Norse for heir of God. It reached only a small number of United States families (said GLEB).

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Origin MediumRussian, Slavic

MeaningGleb is a Russian and Slavic boy's name derived from the Old Norse Gudleifr, meaning heir or descendant of God; it was borne by an early Russian saint.

U.S. rank (2022)#13001 ↘ Falling

2022 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2013

Total births (all-time)≈ 162

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Gleb entered Russian usage from the Old Norse Gudleifr, heir of God, carried by the Varangians who helped found the early Russian state. It appears in United States records mainly with Russian and eastern European families.

It was never common here, given to only about twenty boys a year at its high in the early two-thousand-tens. In Russia it remains a solid, historic name tied to a beloved saint.

Did you know? Saint Gleb and his brother Boris, venerated as martyrs from the eleventh century, were among the first saints canonized by the Russian church, making the name deeply traditional.

Overall data confidence 65%

References - Gleb — Russian from Old Norse Gudleifr, heir of God; Saint Gleb (d. 1015)

Variations

HlebGlibGljeb

Nicknames

Glebka

Famous Bearers

★Saint Gleb (d. 1015)
early Russian saint, son of Prince Vladimir

If you like Gleb…

Oleg— a like Norse-rooted Russian boy's name

Igor— another Old Norse name adopted in Russia

Boris— the name of Saint Gleb's brother

Vadim— a similar traditional Russian boy's name

Explore names like Gleb

By themerare heritage slavic russian

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Gleb mean?

It means heir or descendant of God, from the Old Norse Gudleifr adopted into Russian.

How do you pronounce Gleb?

It is said GLEB /ˈɡlɛb/, a single syllable.

Is Gleb a boy or girl name?

Gleb is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Gleb?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about twenty boys a year at its peak in the early two-thousand-tens, though it is well used in Russia.