Gladys
Gladys is a boy's name of Welsh origin.
Meaning
Land, country, or ruler.
Origin and history
Gladys is a traditional name derived from the Welsh Gwladus, historically associated with royalty and nobility. While overwhelmingly given to females, historical U.S. records show rare usage for males in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is extremely rare as a masculine name in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
1,023 babies in the United States have been named Gladys since 1880. It ranks #3660 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (50 %)
- TX (50 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 37 |
| 1900-1910 | 132 |
| 1910-1920 | 246 |
| 1920-1930 | 251 |
| 1930-1940 | 216 |
| 1940-1950 | 62 |
| 1950-1960 | 41 |
| 1960-1970 | 6 |
| 1970-1980 | 10 |
| 1980-1990 | 17 |
| 1990-2000 | 5 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Glad, Gladdie
Fun facts
- Gladys is the Anglicized form of the ancient Welsh name Gwladus, related to the Welsh word for country or land.
- Although primarily a female name globally, over 1,000 U.S. males were given the name Gladys between 1880 and the mid-20th century.