How Many People Are Named Gladys?
Complete statistics for the name Gladys: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Gladys, a rare female name with roots in Greek meaning joyful, is held by just 46,513 people in the US today, making up 1 in 7,095 Americans. The vast majority of those named Gladys are over 60, reflecting its peak popularity in 1921.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 symbolizes adventure, change, and freedom.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 100All 267,669 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1921Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Gladys Through the Generations
Gladys, a name steeped in history, saw its heyday in 1921 when 8,837 babies were given this moniker. Today, the name's legacy lives on through 46,513 individuals, but the demographic shift is stark, only 3,478 are under 30, while 254,967 are over 60. This trend paints a picture of a classic, old-school name that's become increasingly associated with older generations.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Gladys
Gladys is a female given name from the Welsh name Gwladus or Gwladys, which is of uncertain meaning. It was the name of Gwladys, a Welsh queen who lived in the late 5th century and early 6th century and became a Christian saint. The name was also used for other Welsh noblewomen, but declined in use in Wales after 1500.…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Gladys's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Gladys
How Many People Have the Name Gladys?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 344 people in the United States currently share the name Gladys. That works out to roughly 1 in every 963,515 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Gladys a Common or Rare Name?
Gladys is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Gladys Mean?
Gladys means "joyful" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Gladys in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Gladys Most Popular?
The name Gladys reached peak popularity in 1921, with 8,837 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Gladys?
Approximately 344 people named Gladys live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 344. That works out to roughly 1 in 963,515 Americans.
Is Gladys a rare name?
Gladys is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 963,515 Americans has this name.
What does the name Gladys mean?
Gladys means "joyful" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Gladys more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Gladys are male and 100% are female.
When was Gladys most popular?
Gladys peaked in 1921 with 8,837 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.