Find out how popular the first name Gladis has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gladis by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Gladis is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gladis.

The history of the first name Gladis

The name Gladis is derived from the Latin word "gladius," meaning "sword." It originated in ancient Rome, where gladiators were warriors who fought with swords in arenas for public entertainment. The name gained popularity during the height of the Roman Empire, around the 1st century AD.

In the early days of Christianity, Gladis was sometimes used as a symbolic name to represent the "sword of faith" or the unwavering belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. While there are no direct references to the name in religious scriptures, it was occasionally given to children born into devout Christian families during the Middle Ages.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Gladis was a Roman soldier named Gladis Valerius, who lived in the 2nd century AD. He served in the Praetorian Guard, the elite personal bodyguards of the Roman emperors. Another notable figure was Gladis Britannicus, a 5th-century Roman-British scholar and historian who documented the final years of Roman rule in Britain.

During the Renaissance period, the name Gladis became more common across Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. One notable bearer was Gladis Monteverdi (1567-1643), an Italian singer and composer who was the wife of the famous Baroque composer Claudio Monteverdi.

In the 19th century, Gladis Longfellow (1808-1892) was an American poet and the wife of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the most famous poets of the time. She was known for her own literary works and her support of her husband's career.

Another historical figure was Gladis Pankhurst (1882-1960), a British political activist and suffragette who fought for women's right to vote in the early 20th century. She was a member of the influential Pankhurst family, who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement in Britain.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gladis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gladis, please contact us.

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