Glory first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Glory has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Glory

A feminine name of Latin origin meaning "high renown" or "magnificence".

Popularity of Glory by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Glory is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Glory being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 89 female babies and 9 male babies born with the name Glory.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 9 baby boys were named Glory in 2024, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

YearMale CountFemale Count
2024989
2023085
2022998
2021894
20201599
201911111
20187107
201711110
201610112
20151083
2014095
2013874
2012087
2011066
2010080
2009054
2008062
2007065
2006067
2005066
2004062
2003063
2002058
2001055
2000052
1999051
1998035
1997058
1996041
1995027
1994034
1993036
1992033
1991026
1990033
1989032
1988022
1987022
1986024
1985020
1984021
1983036
1982024
1981026
1980031
1979033
1978030
1977020
1976035
1975031

The history of the first name Glory

The name Glory is derived from the Latin word "gloria," meaning splendor, magnificence, or renown. It is a name that has been used across various cultures and time periods to express admiration, praise, and reverence.

In ancient Rome, the concept of "gloria" was closely tied to military achievements and public recognition. Roman generals and leaders who achieved great victories would often be celebrated with triumphal processions and awarded the honor of "gloria" for their accomplishments. This name was also used to refer to the divine radiance or majesty associated with the Roman gods and goddesses.

The name Glory gained religious significance with the rise of Christianity. In the Bible, the word "glory" is used to describe the divine presence and majesty of God. The book of Psalms, for example, contains numerous references to "the glory of the Lord." This connection to divine splendor and reverence likely contributed to the popularity of the name among Christian communities.

One of the earliest recorded individuals named Glory was Glory Anne Clitherow (1556-1586), an English Catholic martyr who was executed for harboring priests during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another notable figure was Glory van Bronckhorst (1550-1597), a Dutch noblewoman and mother of Rembrandt van Rijn, the famous Dutch painter.

In the 17th century, Glory Fletcher (1633-1653) was an English woman who gained notoriety for her involvement in the English Civil War. She fought alongside her husband and was celebrated for her bravery and devotion to the Parliamentarian cause.

During the American Revolutionary War, Glory McGilynn (1740-1817) was a patriot known for her involvement in the Battle of Groton Heights in 1781. She is remembered for her courage and determination in aiding the Continental Army during the conflict.

In the 19th century, Glory Grimké (1805-1879) was an American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Along with her sister, Sarah, she was a prominent figure in the anti-slavery movement and a vocal advocate for women's suffrage.

Throughout history, the name Glory has been associated with admiration, achievement, and divine reverence. While its usage has fluctuated over time, it remains a unique and evocative name that carries a sense of pride, honor, and distinction.

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 Glory was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

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