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Baby names

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Original poster

Girls name - Gladys?

192 replies

Sheffield2000 · 18/02/2020 04:29

I'm pregnant with my second daughter. Our first is Elsie (middle name Alice). My husband and I have always liked the name Gladys and are thinking of naming our second daughter this.

To me, its cute whilst baby is little and she grows up I like to think of it as a strong, and elegant name. I also like that it's unique and there are not lots of Gladys's out there. But on the other hand, i'm getting myself a bit worried that its a name that a lot of people do not like. I try to stay away from forums, yet here I am positing on one, worrying about the negative comments people have posted about this name in previous threads! For anyone else who likes Gladys, what middle name do you think could match well with it? Elsie was such an easy choice, it was always our favourite name. We are really struggling to be confident with our choice this time!

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carbuncleonapigsposterior · 18/02/2020 18:33

Don't do it, my late mother's name, she never forgave her parents for lumbering her with such an ugly name Angry 'orrible!

Poorolddaddypig · 18/02/2020 18:30

Hahaha just read the other comments - Phoebes terrifying crawling-out-of-the-frame woman she made is the only Gladys I know too Grin

Poorolddaddypig · 18/02/2020 18:29

I love vintage names but this is a bit much for me

alexdgr8 · 18/02/2020 18:28

nothing wrong with it.
esp popular among black people, african and caribbean, who are very
chic.
when i was young emma, emily , amelia, sounded very old fashioned, and martha was the name of scullery maid, along with amy.
now maud, and mabel, edith are cutting edge; used to be victorian.
so go with your own flow. others will follow. good luck.

NoSauce · 18/02/2020 17:43

Something tells me this is a piss take Wink

MotherOfAllNameChanges · 18/02/2020 17:18

💛 these names to go with Elsie too:

Olive
Violet
Lydia
Elizabeth
Ivy
Pearl
Lillian
Ruby
Scarlett

MotherOfAllNameChanges · 18/02/2020 17:15

And the Pips Grin

Alsohuman · 18/02/2020 17:15

I’ll let you know if/when she has puppies!

theLadyofShallnot · 18/02/2020 17:13

If that is what makes you a walking cliche flower, budge over. Smile. I can’t wait for the day when work eases up and I can have a little trotter alongside.

She is pure gorgeous - you lucky soul!!!

myplateisfullenoughthanks · 18/02/2020 17:11

No just no!

Alsohuman · 18/02/2020 17:10

*I highly doubt Gladys will ever not be a joke name.

Like Gloria, Nancy, Violet, Iris, Nell, Polly*

None of which are “joke names”.

Yes, she’s lovely @TheLadyofShallnot - and a total child substitute, I’ve turned into a walking cliche in my old age!

theLadyofShallnot · 18/02/2020 17:06

I like it. However my name is always high up on the list on what to never name your child...

If you are wavering, what about Renee?

I absolutely adore your Gladys @Alsohuman 💕

TatianaLarina · 18/02/2020 16:59

I highly doubt Gladys will ever not be a joke name.

Like Gloria, Nancy, Violet, Iris, Nell, Polly.

AdultHumanFemale · 18/02/2020 16:30

Love Gladys.
I notice pps have also suggested Gloria, which is another favourite of mine.
Congratulations.

Pemba · 18/02/2020 16:28

I can see objectively that the sound of it is OK, but I think that, unlike other names of a similar vintage like Elsie, the 'old-lady' associations are still much too strong.

I am in my fifties and knew several old ladies with this name, all gone now of course.

Apparently it was something like the 'Tracey' of its day, very popular around the turn of the century and up to about 1920 I think. I believe that was the first time the name had been used widely outside Wales, and it was thought of as cool and exotic.

FET2020 · 18/02/2020 12:40

It’s a lovely name - it’s not your fault some people have no taste.

Alsohuman · 18/02/2020 12:29

Meant to add, not only is she absolutely adorable but when people learn her name they tend to either say “Ah, that’s so cool” or tell us their nan or auntie was called Gladys and they have very fond memories.

Alsohuman · 18/02/2020 12:23

This is our Gladys.

Girls name - Gladys?
HopeYouStepOnALego · 18/02/2020 12:19

I too like some old names, and Elsie is lovely, but Gladys would be a real no, no for me.

There are lots of other older traditional names that are nicer eg Florence, Edith, Lilian, Evelyn

alwaysataldi · 18/02/2020 11:45

No - some 'old' names sound lovely - Elsie for instance but Gladys - I would not choose

Wereallsquare · 18/02/2020 11:41

My first reaction to the name was "Good God, no", because in my house a "Gladys" is a woman/girl who is overly effusive. It was the worst insult when I was growing up, for some reason.

But then a PP mentioned Gladys Knight and I have really positive feelings about her and never thought twice about her name, strangely enough.

Now I think it actually is a lovely name, really. It doesn't have negative connotations for everyone.

NewName54321 · 18/02/2020 11:36

DGM (97) is a Gladys. She hates it and has always used her middle name. She says it's old-fashioned, and that she can't think where her parents got the idea from.

That said, seeing it written down out of that context, I'm thinking well actually it's not such a bad collection of letters and sounds to label a person with. Lots of names of a similar era are back in fashion like Ava, Florence, Mabel, Emily.

With an Elsie, it might be too much of an "old lady" vibe though. As though you chose the name to match her sister's name rather than to match her. I'd pick something a bit more timeless, rather than of the same era.

Elsie and Amelia
Elsie and Catherine
Elsie and Heidi
Elsie and Imogen
Elsie and Louisa

millymae · 18/02/2020 11:27

Names are just sounds - it’s the connotation that causes the issue and to me Gladys makes me think of ladies of my grandmother and great grandmother’s age.
Those younger than me and certainly of your baby’s generation will have no such preconceptions and if it’s been a name that you and your husband have always liked then you should go with it. It has a nice sound to it and goes perfectly with sister Elsie.

Butterbeeeen · 18/02/2020 11:23

I like it. I have a DS with what is perceived as an old man name. My family and friends were mortified but he suits it and loves it. Go for it OP.

notchickenagain · 18/02/2020 11:20

Oh crikey. No. It's up there with Doreen, Brenda, Edna, Sheila, Doris....