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Glee
How to Pronounce Glee
Pronounced GLEE /ΛΙ‘liΛ/Medium
Meaning: Glee is an English word-name meaning joy or lively delight, from the Old English gleo, which also meant music, play, and entertainment, the same root behind the 'glee club.' As a girl's name it was chosen for its bright, cheerful sense.Medium
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Glee is an English virtue- or word-name meaning joy and merriment, from the Old English gleo, a word that also meant music and play. It appears as a girl's name in United States records from the 1890s, chosen for its cheerful meaning. Unusually for this group it peaked in the late 1940s, yet it was always rare, given to only a couple dozen girls a year at most.
A woman named Glee from mid-century would be a grandmother today. The name shares the sunny spirit of word-names like Joy and Merry, and while it has not become common, its bright, one-syllable sound wears well and is not out of step with modern taste.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Glee mean?
It is the English word for joy or merriment, from the Old English gleo, which also meant music.
How do you pronounce Glee?
It's said GLEE /ΛΙ‘liΛ/, one syllable.
Is Glee a boy or girl name?
Glee is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Glee?
It has always been rare, a cheerful word-name given to only a couple dozen girls a year even at its mid-century peak.