Gladyes
A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "slender" or "slim".
Name Census estimates that about 3 living Americans carry the first name Gladyes. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Gladyes today is around 103 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Gladyes births was 1920 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Gladyes. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Gladyes is about 103 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Gladyes' were born before 1933.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Gladyes. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
3
~ 1 in 114,251,446 Americans
Peak year
1920
11 babies that year
Average age
103
years old
1934 SSA rank
#3,589
Tracked since 1913
Popularity
Gladyes: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Gladyes from the 1910s through to the 1930s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 70 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gladyes by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Gladyes during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Gladyes
The name Gladyes has its roots in the Latin language and is derived from the word "gladius," which means "sword." This name originated in Ancient Rome during the early centuries of the Roman Empire.
Gladyes was initially a masculine name given to Roman soldiers or warriors, reflecting their strength and valor in battle. It was a popular choice among Roman families, particularly those with a military background or those who valued the virtues associated with a soldier's life.
In the early days of Christianity, the name Gladyes gained some prominence as it was borne by several notable figures in the Church. One of the earliest recorded instances was Gladyes of Ravenna, a 6th-century bishop who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in the region.
During the Middle Ages, the name Gladyes became more widespread across Europe, particularly in areas influenced by Latin culture. It was adopted by both men and women, although its feminine form, Gladyes, became more prevalent over time.
One of the earliest known historical figures with the name Gladyes was Gladyes of Burdigala (Bordeaux), a 4th-century Christian martyr who was executed for her faith during the Diocletian persecutions. Her story and unwavering devotion to Christianity made her a revered figure in the early Church.
Another notable Gladyes was Gladyes of Rome, a 5th-century noblewoman and the daughter of a Roman senator. She was known for her piety and charitable works, and her life was documented by several contemporary writers.
In the 12th century, Gladyes of Auxerre, a French abbess and scholar, gained recognition for her contributions to the intellectual and religious life of the era. Her writings and teachings influenced many within the Church.
During the Renaissance period, the name Gladyes experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among the Italian nobility. One such notable figure was Gladyes Farnese, a 16th-century Italian noblewoman and patron of the arts, who was known for her influential role in the cultural and political affairs of her time.
In the realm of literature, Gladyes has been immortalized in the works of various authors. One notable example is the character Gladyes Eynsford-Hill from George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion," which later inspired the renowned musical "My Fair Lady."
People
Gladyes + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Gladyes as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with G
Other first names starting with G with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Gladyes: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Gladyes?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 3 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Gladyes going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 114,251,446 US residents.
Is Gladyes a common name?
We classify Gladyes as "Very Rare". It ranks above 4.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 112 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Gladyes most popular?
The single biggest year for Gladyes was 1920, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Gladyes is about 103 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Gladyes in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Gladyes a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Gladyes in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Gladyes still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Gladyes in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Gladyes can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Gladyes as a first name?
If you just want to know how many people share the name Gladyes, HowManyOfMe.org gives you the headline number in one glance.