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

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 2023, there were 85 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Glory.

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.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

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!