How popular is the baby name Gladys in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Gladys.

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Popularity of the baby name Gladys


Posts that mention the name Gladys

Girl names beyond the top 1,000 of 2009

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The top 1,000 baby girl names of 2009 can be found at the Social Security Administration’s website. But what about all the other names that were doled out last year? Those names are also available via the SSA I recently discovered (thanks Kelly!).

Just a few hours ago I posted a list of boy names that didn’t make the top 1,000 last year, but were still given to 100+ babies. Here is the equivalent (and much longer) list of girl names, grouped by the number of babies that received each name:

  • 263: Nyasia*
  • 262: Alayah, Areli, Bree, Essence
  • 261: Abigayle, Nathalia, Pearl
  • 260: Emersyn
  • 259: Amaris, Ashanti, Winter
  • 258: none
  • 257: Donna
  • 256: Carleigh, Kristin, Roxanne
  • 255: Gina, Kyndall, Marin, Tegan
  • 254: Dalilah, Dania
  • 253: Keily, Rhianna
  • 252: Emory, Krista, Willa
  • 251: none
  • 250: Braelynn
  • 249: Ashtyn, Bryleigh, Gracelynn, Kaley, Leigha, Sawyer, Selina
  • 248: Braylee, Gillian, Kinsey, Lucero, Sky
  • 247: Desirae, Jackeline, Kaila, Kendyl, Shea
  • 246: Shyann
  • 245: Emmalyn, Kailynn, Naima
  • 244: Kianna, Zaniya
  • 243: Chasity, Kimber, Samiya, Zariyah
  • 242: none
  • 241: none
  • 240: Cierra, Shayna, Yamileth
  • 239: none
  • 238: Amalia, Jalynn, Jamiyah, Jolene, Karis, Leticia
  • 237: Ariah
  • 236: Charli, Laurel, Mae, Silvia, Treasure, Zuri
  • 235: Arya, Celine, Jana, Kaylah
  • 234: Adele, Adison, Gisele, Keeley, Samira
  • 233: Abbygail, Brittney, Chelsey, Farrah, Tyler
  • 232: Carrie, Galilea, Kai, Micaela
  • 231: Addie, Anabel, Esme, Johana, Kairi, Shirley
  • 230: Aleigha, Annette, Nova
  • 229: Maren
  • 228: Berenice, Lyra, Makaila, Sariyah
  • 227: Abrielle, Anais, Blair, Brookelynn, Delia, Izabelle, Rivka
  • 226: Anjali, Blake, Christiana, Monique
  • 225: Brandy, Giavanna, Joelle
  • 224: Aurelia, Joselin, Keila, Rocio, Sally
  • 223: Emme, Kalia, Raylee, Roxana
  • 222: Aubrianna, Deasia, Dorothy, Lesley, Makaylah, Suri
  • 221: Aditi, Estella, Iyanna, Noor
  • 220: Ashton, Destini, Kori, Susana
  • 219: Abrianna, Analise, Graciela, Kayli, Lianna, Rileigh
  • 218: Jersey, Noa
  • 217: Harlee, Jailyn, Kamiyah, Nariah, Sonya
  • 216: Karmen, Lilith
  • 215: Iyana, Kamora, Maddie, Sarina, Zahra
  • 214: Gracyn, Hailie, Laniya, Leilah, Shreya
  • 213: Elina, Nyah, Saanvi
  • 212: Aya, Colleen, Jamiya, Jemma, Kalyn, Violeta
  • 211: Dallas, Dani, Denisse, Malaysia, Yarely, Zainab
  • 210: Darlene, Rhea, Tayla, Tina
  • 209: Ananya, Arleth, Aubri, Blanca, Jazmyne, Kaidence, Margarita, Renata, Tatianna
  • 208: Addilyn, Adelina, Aniah, Evalyn, Luisa, Shaniyah, Tayler
  • 207: Julieta, Maiya, Melinda
  • 206: Ailyn, Aliah, Justine, Sofie, Toni
  • 205: Dalila, Maite, Tatyana
  • 204: none
  • 203: Ariyana, Bridgette, Brookelyn, Colette, Jaleah, Laniyah
  • 202: Annalee, Elissa, Elyssa, Lidia
  • 201: Geraldine, Jaclyn, Jazzlyn, Landry
  • 200: Gwyneth, Janie, Kathy, Litzy, Noelia, Rhiannon, Stevie
  • 199: Amyah, Brandi, Cloe, Hillary
  • 198: Bayleigh, Kya, Kyndal, Maylee, Promise
  • 197: Dayanna, Selene
  • 196: Analeigh, Anita, Candace, Kamille
  • 195: Annabell, Antonia, Astrid, Audriana, Kelis
  • 194: Katlyn, Kaycee, Lilyann, Maura
  • 193: Jessa, Lacy, Lillyan, Milana
  • 192: Arlene, Katy, Nelly
  • 191: Annaliese, Kamilah, Saylor
  • 190: Carsyn, Lacie, Maliya, Vivianna
  • 189: Annelise, Calista, Citlali, Estefania, Izabel, Journee, Sandy, Yvette
  • 188: Brissa, Kenia, Malak
  • 187: Bryana, Carli, Carson, Honesty, Kirra, Soleil, Stacey
  • 186: Greidys, Lizette
  • 185: Alize, Breana, Carol, Christian, Karleigh, Lillyanna, Makiyah, Meagan, Mercy, Milena
  • 184: Alaysia, Gwen, Jazlene, Laci, Lillyana, Natali, Nicolette, Samya
  • 183: Amayah, Amia, Fallon, Hunter, Yara
  • 182: Asha, Kensley
  • 181: Chiara, Estefany, Lilyan, Priscila
  • 180: Aanya, Amariah, Candice, Charleigh, Devin, Gizelle, Makiya, Nya
  • 179: Abygail, Anneliese, Audrianna, Celina, Ericka
  • 178: Alycia, Briella, Jaeda, Nikki, Noel, Romina
  • 177: Aida
  • 176: Adilene, Blakely, Caitlynn, Camden, Ivana, Jaedyn, Kacey, Trista
  • 175: Camdyn, Jordynn, Kaleah, Robyn, Samaya
  • 174: Ayden, Beatriz, Drew, Emani, Mayte, Robin, Yuridia
  • 173: Alanah, Caelyn, Cordelia, Isha, Makenzi, Vanesa, Wynter, Yaneli
  • 172: Alex, Dina, Fabiola, Jacklyn, Liv, Mariella
  • 171: Constance, Ebony, Kacie, Pyper, Xochitl
  • 170: Alessia, Bonnie, Harmoni, Nadine, Nichole, Peighton, Soraya
  • 169: Audra, Brea, Ellery, Elliot, Josselyn, Kalli, Marian, Sheila, Zaira
  • 168: Aubriana, Elliott, Geneva, Karolina, Marlen, Sahara, Sheyla
  • 167: Arden, Joana, Juniper, Malina
  • 166: Alli, Maylin
  • 165: Amerie, Emmaline, Marcella, Temperance, Yahaira
  • 164: Ariyah, Ayva, Ginger, Kailani, Kalani, Kalea, Lucinda, Melia, Tahlia
  • 163: Adela, Evangelina, Harlie, Kamiya, Preslee, Rita
  • 162: Reilly, Ryley, Shaelyn
  • 161: Cayleigh, Kelsi, Malayah, Nahla, Savana, Yolanda
  • 160: Adamaris, Berkley, Emerald, Ivette, Izzabella, Jackelyn, Joslynn, Katharine, Susanna
  • 159: Anaiah, Haidyn, Juana, Lela, Remi, Samaria, Sunny, Thea
  • 158: Adrian, Brylie, Dasia, Jaela, Leena, Lourdes, Malka, Neha, Tracy
  • 157: Alyse, Aviana, Flor, Jaya, Jazelle, Margot, Nalani, Rilee
  • 156: Alora, Cayden, Estelle, Heavenly, Janaya, Jasmyn
  • 155: Avianna, Elia, Kaci, Raya, Rosalyn
  • 154: Bryn, Lluvia, Miyah
  • 153: Aubry, Lanie, Shira
  • 152: Allyssa, Avani, Betsy, Jaycie, Kami, Shakira
  • 151: Alexys, Amberly, Ariyanna, Brianne, Cloey, Dianna, Estefani, Kenadie, Kloey, Lillyann, Sahana
  • 150: Antonella, Calli, Candy, Chastelyn, Kora, Kynlee
  • 149: Aundrea, Emmie, Katerina, Madysen, Sydnie
  • 148: Analy, Ema, Emalee, Katarina, Madisen, Mandy, Vivien
  • 147: Alexandrea, Anissa, Annaleigh, Betty, Carmella, Coral, Danae, Grecia, Jailynn, Jamiah, Lilli, Roxanna, Trisha
  • 146: Chelsie, Iman, Kaylani, Mika, Priya, Sloan, Tyra
  • 145: Avalon, Eleni, Mabel, Rosario, Taliah, Zahara
  • 144: Alianna, Bentley, Breonna, Ellison, Jaci, Katia, Nariyah, Shaila
  • 143: Alysa, Annmarie, Brynna, Desire, Elayna, Eryn, Jaquelin, Lupita, Roxy, Yaretzy
  • 142: Anisa, Charlene, Elisha, Gabriel, Gracey, Jalyn, Jenifer, Katalina, Tristan
  • 141: Annamarie, Clementine, Jenesis, Jorja, Mackenna, Maryn, Melani, Skylee, Starr, Xitlali
  • 140: Alysia, Ellianna, Jasleen, Leela, Lucie, Tanvi, Vianney
  • 139: Anayah, Caylin, Dariana, Gwenyth, Haily, Loren, Magnolia, Mylie, Rhyan, Star
  • 138: Ania, Beverly, Cailey, Capri, Harleigh, Jurnee, Kasandra, Kristine
  • 137: Anali, Janya, Jaslynn, Kameryn, Mariya, Mayah, Nailah, Yazmine
  • 136: Andi, Brionna, Carys, Elly, Emmerson, Faye, Felicia, Lamya, Linnea, Louisa, Mari, Maxine
  • 135: Andie, Arionna, Audrie, Azalea, Eunice, Holland, Katelin
  • 134: Brook, Darby, Emmalynn, Haiden, Jaime, Kalynn, Keren, Kyrie, Maryann, Rianna, Rosie, Triniti, Yessenia, Zaylee
  • 133: Alyssia, Daria, Emerie, Joseline, Kierstyn, Leann, Marcela, Mareli, Marli, Melisa, Vianey, Vienna, Wren
  • 132: Belle, Citlaly, Dior, Elana, Kaniyah, Kayle, Lexus, Lori, Maycee, Montserrat, Petra, Sabina
  • 131: Alea, Beatrix, Diane, Irelyn, Jacie, Jalissa, Janell, Khadija, Ria, Semaj, Stormy, Veda
  • 130: Aja, Aniston, Clover, Colbie, Dasha, Halie, Jackie, Kaniya, Markayla, Remy, Sylvie
  • 129: Alliyah, Evolet, Jael, Jayna, Layna, Leanne, Maricela, Taleah
  • 128: Ari, Cielo, Montana, Paislee, Randi, Simran, Yoselyn
  • 127: Ameera, Darcy, Delanie, Farah, Karime, Keegan
  • 126: Anushka, Ayah, Harmonie, Kalina, Kari, Keziah, Liza, Sade, Saniah, Yarel
  • 125: Anaiya, Austyn, Darla, Elora, Frankie, Jamia, Jayme, Jeanette, Norma, Vicky
  • 124: Brooklynne, Ellis, Julisa, Kamaria, Leilany, Lisbeth, Makaela, Makiah, Nellie, Rosalinda, Yvonne
  • 123: Adelle, Emmeline, Freya, Hattie, Ila, Jiselle, Kiya, Lynette, Milla, Sanjana, Saphira, Zoya
  • 122: Aysia, Baylie, Brynley, Cienna, Kaydance, Malena, Mariajose, Nayla, Tamya
  • 121: Adina, Adrianne, Akeelah, Cameryn, Christa, Jolee, Josslyn, Juanita, Olyvia, Shriya, Taylee
  • 120: Jacquelin, Kaiden, Lexy, Martina, Shianne, Sonja
  • 119: Alexi, Avril, Baileigh, Carrington, Coraline, Devon, Isadora, Issabella, Jalia, Jessenia, Kaylan, Taelyn, Xitlaly, Yulissa
  • 118: Ariela, Carter, Chloee, Halo, Kaelin, Mariel, Marjorie, Milani, Olga, Rachelle, Sahasra, Siri
  • 117: Aleksandra, Alyna, Aminah, Araya, Emmaleigh, Gladys, Ivory, Keara, Kenadee, Lyndsey, Makyla, Raniya, Shaylynn
  • 116: Amora, Antoinette, Chanelle, Christy, Gissel, Kristy, Mindy, Mylah
  • 115: Cailin, Carmela, Cate, Everly, Jaila, Jamaya, Jania, Kyara
  • 114: Ariadna, Della, Evalynn, Karyme, Kenadi, Kennadi, Maisie, Mazie, Raniyah, Shae, Yasmeen
  • 113: Brihanna, Jianna, Josalyn, Lexis, Madelin, Remington, Sapphire, Stefany, Viola
  • 112: Aiden, Ailani, Angely, Chyna, Davina, Jahzara, Jovie, Kadyn, Katheryn, Kaydee, Layne, Mayrin, Scarlette
  • 111: Aleyah, Blessing, Chloie, Hollie, Kaily, Kamdyn, Keyonna, Kiarra, Laela, Leeann, Yajaira
  • 110: Amarie, Ciera, Dawn, Egypt, Jazleen, Judy, Kameron, Misha, Rain
  • 109: Adria, August, Emi, Joanne, Magaly, Marion, Moira, Nala, Rania, Sana, Tristyn, Ysabella, Zaniah
  • 108: Addelyn, Addisen, Alonna, Analisa, Anessa, Angeles, Anyah, Arlette, Braylin, Cecily, Daniya, Emelyn, Kyah, Tallulah, Zaina
  • 107: Ani, Aubrielle, Dafne, Grayson, Kaidyn, Kaylei, Kimani, Maleigha, Octavia, Ramona, Reanna, Sania, Shay, Stefanie, Sydni, Yael
  • 106: Abbigale, Adisyn, Alessa, Avalyn, Calla, Casandra, Caylie, Georgina, Jaina, Jocelin, Keilani, Keylee, Kloie, Preslie, Sabine, Valencia
  • 105: Acacia, Adilyn, Ayesha, Daniyah, Irelynn, Italia, Jadelyn, Janeth, Khalia, Maryah, Nadya, Trinitee
  • 104: Adaline, Amaiya, Anayeli, Angelia, Chevelle, Cianna, Gianni, Joscelyn, Kahlan, Karely, Magdalene, Penny, Scout, Shoshana, Skylah, Whitley
  • 103: Anisha, Delila, Evan, Jesse, Lariah, Naya, Nyomi, Samarah, Samia, Sariya, Shamya, Taylin
  • 102: Audree, Aven, Flora, Jalyssa, Jena, Josey, Kaylene, Kenlee, Kennady, Misty
  • 101: Ahtziri, Ariadne, Baila, Cambree, Claira, Danya, Edna, Eternity, Honor, Jaydah, Kaileigh, Kellie, Laina, Sinai, Violette
  • 100: Allegra, Amaia, Annemarie, Arihanna, Arissa, Chase, Deisy, Dora, Dream, Ela, Elli, Elysia, Greydis, Janna, Louise, Maliha, Mallorie, Marlena, Shaina, Zaida

*Nyasia could have made the top 1,000. In fact, it should have made the top 1,000. It was given to 263 babies, just like the names that ranked 996th-1,000th (Gretchen, Karli, Kloe, Lilyanna and Mireya). But it came in last alphabetically, so in the eyes of the SSA it’s name #1,001. Sad, sad…

Image: Adapted from Scattered stars in Sagittarius by ESA/Hubble under CC BY 4.0.

French baby names: Heloise, Lancelot, Quitterie, Victor

Lavender field in France

While cleaning out my bookmarks the other day, I rediscovered this post on French names from francophile blog Polly-Vous Francais. It contrasts the names found in the birth and death announcements of a French newspaper. Here’s a sampling:

Male BirthsMale DeathsFemale BirthsFemale Deaths
Anselme
Edouard
Guillaume
Hipployte
Hugo
Lancelot
Louis
Timothée
Victor
Vladimir
Albert
Emile
Gabriel
Jacques
Jean
Paul
Pierre
Roger
Vincent
Yves
Anaïs
Béatrix
Héloïse
Hermine
Irène
Margaux
Mathilde
Noémie
Quitterie
Violaine
Andrée
Denise
Gilberte
Gladys
Huguette
Jacqueline
Jeanne
Marguerite
Marie
Michèle

Which set do you like better — birth announcement names or death announcement names?

Image: Adapted from Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque, 2022 by Chris Down under CC BY 4.0.

What gave the baby name Ardeth a boost in 1930?

Illustration of Ardeth Carroll from the Winona Republican-Herald (Jun. 1930)
Ardeth Carroll

From 1929 to 1930, the baby name Ardeth saw a dramatic rise in usage — dramatic enough to boost the name into the U.S. top 1,000 for the first time.

  • 1932: 55 baby girls named Ardeth [rank: 954th]
  • 1931: 58 baby girls named Ardeth [rank: 912th]
  • 1930: 121 baby girls named Ardeth [rank: 629th]
  • 1929: 38 baby girls named Ardeth
  • 1928: 27 baby girls named Ardeth

What caused the spike?

The Gladys Johnson story Girl Unafraid, which was serialized in newspapers across the country during 1930.

The story’s main character was Ardeth Carroll, “a Titian-haired, amber-eyed” shop-girl who fell in love with a man named Ken Gleason. The problem? Ken was already engaged to wealthy Cecile Parker.

According to an advertisement for the serialization,

The silent struggle between these proud modern women, with Ardeth pitting her beauty, her wit and her courage against Cecile’s wealth and influence, makes one of the most thrilling love stories ever published.

What are your thoughts on the name Ardeth?

P.S. The similar name Ardoth popped up several years later for an entirely different reason…

Sources:

  • “Girl Unafraid.” Journal and Courier [Lafayette, Indiana] 14 Aug. 1930: 3.
  • Girl Unafraid.” Winona Republican-Herald 14 Jun. 1930: 8.
  • Woman vs. Woman” [Advertisement]. Oregon Statesman 20 Sept. 1930: 2.
  • SSA

Image: Clipping from the Winona Republican-Herald (14 Jun. 1930)