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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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!

OP posts:
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DrivingMsCrazy · 18/02/2020 11:09

I'm of the generation that has mothers, aunties and grandmothers called Gladys, a family name. Funnily enough all the ones I know are strong ladies who've endured a lot in their lives and come through - not classic or elegant but sturdy and tough as old boots, ran on endless cups of tea and cigarettes, watched every household penny, loved a gossip over a rum and coke and were not afraid to whack husbands, children or annoying neighbours with a slipper when provoked. It brings fond memories back but not sure of the kind you are aiming for OP! Grin

KeeefBurtain · 18/02/2020 10:52

I love old fashioned names but Gladys is a step to far even for me!

I have an Elsie (shes an Elspeth) and I also liked

Enid
Sylvia
Nancy
Ellen
Julianne
Susanna

Milkwith1sugar44 · 18/02/2020 10:49

I've sort of got mixed views on it.
I love names like Edith, Elsie, Minnie, Florence, but haven't quite warmed to Gladys yet.
That said, this generation won't associate it with an old lady on her way to Bingo, and the name will be seen in a whole new light.
I think if I heard it on a little one I would grow to like it, as I have with the above names.

Astronica · 18/02/2020 10:35

I think you're ahead of the trend with Gladys so will get mostly negative responses. It is pretty 'off the radar' of current names so is hard to get my head around. It is still 'old lady' to me and definitely not in a chic way, however I can see that the sounds are good and it has a certain appeal. I couldn't use it, but I think it will come back. I think it's cute next to Elsie, and I like the advice earlier to see what some teenagers think of it. I also think Gladys is much cooler and more interesting than Gloria which a couple of posters have suggested.

Wintersun13 · 18/02/2020 10:18

Personally not a fan, though of course if you love the name you shouldn't let that stop you !
Pp mentioned Gwyneth, which I do like.

OnABeachSomewhere · 18/02/2020 10:06

I like Gladys, it's strong and interesting.

Gladys Merryn
Gladys Victoria
Gladys Josephine
Gladys Angelica
Gladys Olivia
Gladys Phoebe
Gladys Rowena
Gladys Aurelia
Gladys Emmeline
Gladys Freya

BecauseReasons · 18/02/2020 10:06

Go for it, OP. It wouldn't do for us all to be the same.

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 18/02/2020 10:05

I think its sweet, but couldn't use it - it's the nickname DH used to give to anyone from me to DS when he was messing about. I quite like Doris which is a similar name?

rosegoldwatcher · 18/02/2020 10:02

PS - my other grandmother was Gwyneth. Now that name I like!

rosegoldwatcher · 18/02/2020 10:01

My late grandmother, born in 1915, was Gladys Lucy.
Most people called her Glad; can you imagine the jokes your future daughter will have to endure at school? ('Are you glad about that Glad?)
I adored my nan, but would never in a zillion years consider it an attractive name.

Mamabear88 · 18/02/2020 09:57

OMG. No. It's truly hideous. Please don't burden the poor girl with such a horrible name.

FairytaleofBykerGrove · 18/02/2020 09:56

You know what? I never liked Gladys until I met an amazing little Gwladys last year who is super bright, funny and feisty and now I will always associate the name with her. I think if you love it then go for it.

teapotter · 18/02/2020 09:54

Bear in mind most of us are a generation (or three) older than your dd and name trends change. By the time she is old enough to notice it might be a cool name, I think it’s about time for a comeback. A decade ago Nora would have been “Nora batty” and shouted down. A few people were before the trend. Better to ask a current teenager.

Alltheprettyseahorses · 18/02/2020 09:21

Gorgeous name. It's unusual and so pretty while still being really strong and some of the alternatives mentioned are horrible in comparison. But it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks anyway. If you like the name, use it. You'll probably set a trend.

MandalaYogaTapestry · 18/02/2020 09:16

There was Gladys in Friends. The name was ruined for me there and then.

halcyondays · 18/02/2020 09:16

It’s not great and hard to imagine having a baby and thinking “Gladys”
Elsie is much nicer.

Cerys
Violet
Annie

Marcipex · 18/02/2020 09:10

I don’t think strong or elegant. I think fags and bingo.
Sorry but I think it’s awful. Really not due a comeback.
I like a pp suggestion of Nancy.

Omashu · 18/02/2020 09:08

No no nooooope! It sounds awful to me.

sandybanana · 18/02/2020 09:01

Not for me

When I saw this I immediately I thought of Gladys Knight and the pips and began to belt out " midnight train to Georgia " ....

Grin
OvalCanvas · 18/02/2020 09:01

It reminds me of Phoebe's picture on Friends.

Seasonalanxiety · 18/02/2020 08:59

We had 3 in the family. Lovely ladies but not what I'd call strong and elegant Smile

GinasGirl · 18/02/2020 08:55

Ah my granny was a Gladys, so it holds fond memories .. of an old lady with a blue rinse and losing her teeth. Not sure it's one for a comeback to be honest. Loved her very much but not keen on the name for nowadays.

IggyAce · 18/02/2020 08:53

Gladys is lovely not my cup of tea but if you like it go for it. I work in a school and haven’t come across one so it would be unusual.

MsChatterbox · 18/02/2020 08:52

I don't like the name. But she is not my daughter. If you like the name then use it!

Mammyloveswine · 18/02/2020 08:52

Oh god op if you love it use but I'm not convinced...

How about Ivy? Elspeth? Betsy? Sylvie? Elizabeth nn Betty? Ava? Marie? May?