Gladys
Gladys: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɡlædɪs/
Meaning and origin of Gladys
Root meaning: “country”
- A female given name from Welsh.
Etymology
Anglicized from Welsh Gwladus, of uncertain origin, perhaps connected with gwlad (“country”).
How popular is Gladys?
Since 1880, 266,718 girls and 1,023 boys in the U.S. have been named Gladys (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1901. Its highest rank for boys was #578 in 1905. In 2025, 49 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Gladys
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Welsh girl names
Sibling name ideas for Gladys
Sister and brother names that share Gladys's Welsh roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gladys FAQ
What does the name Gladys mean?
Gladys traces back to a root meaning "country". A female given name from Welsh. Anglicized from Welsh Gwladus, of uncertain origin, perhaps connected with gwlad (“country”).
What is the origin of the name Gladys?
Gladys is listed as a name of Welsh origin.
How popular is the name Gladys?
Since 1880, 266,718 girls and 1,023 boys in the U.S. have been named Gladys (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #11 in 1901. Its highest rank for boys was #578 in 1905. In 2025, 49 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Gladys a boy or girl name?
Gladys is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 266,718 girls and 1,023 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.