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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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WaxOnFeckOff · 19/02/2020 23:31

Nope.

Maeve
Hetty/Henrietta
Hattie/Harriet
Ena/short for anything like Christina etc
Berta/Roberta
Isa/isabella

HalfManHalfLabrador · 20/02/2020 00:18

Horrible name

BecauseReasons · 20/02/2020 06:10

I like it! People probably thought names like Elsie, Nancy and Pearl were old lady names that would never come back

Yep. When I was little I loved the name Elsie (from the What Katy Did) series and my mother said it was an awful name and made her think of old ladies. You can't move for them now!

BecauseReasons · 20/02/2020 06:11

Bracket in the wrong place. Sigh

Dontwantmylife · 20/02/2020 07:25

I don’t like Gladys, it still sounds really old-fashioned. Gwen is a beautiful alternative IMHO.

BakedBeeeen · 20/02/2020 07:33

Gladys is awful! Sorry.... how about Carys/Charis for a similar sounding name?

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 20/02/2020 07:36

If you're one of these people who cares about their kid being the only one with their name then go for it.

Personally, yuck.

Patienceisvirtuous · 20/02/2020 07:40

NO. Awful sounding name.

Agree with PP, change your own name to it instead.

notalwaysalondoner · 20/02/2020 17:31

Gladys is not nice sounding, in my mind it’s in the list of names that shouldn’t be resurrected like Agnes, Phyllis, Gertrude and Doris.

On the other hand, there are lots of other old lady names that are popular right now that I personally think are ugly, like Dorothy, Audrey, Betty etc so if you love it, go for it.

drina27 · 20/02/2020 17:35

Gladys. No.

Letthemysterybe · 20/02/2020 17:39

I love Elsie, but I’m not a fan of Gladys.

What about

Alice
Gwen
Anya

Cheeryandmerry · 20/02/2020 17:47

Nurse Gladys Emmanuel Grin.

I don’t think it’s a classic name - one which comes in and out of fashion every so often but never particularly dates - unfortunately. I think it’s a name that’s of its time......about 80 years ago. If you wanted a classic name there are others suggested up thread.

Octopuscrazy · 20/02/2020 17:48

Please don't inflict Gladys on your dd. Some lovely suggestions on here.

Reminds me of Gladys from friends shudder

Bouncingbelle · 21/02/2020 02:25

To me, Elsie's sister is called Sadie or Mabel or Penny.

Gladys isnt granny chic, its sh*t!

NotNowPlzz · 21/02/2020 03:03

I like it

lemontreebird · 21/02/2020 03:30

I think it goes well with Elsie, being of the same era.

Elsie and Gladys.
Elsie and Iris.
Elsie and Evelyn.

yesyesyesyes · 21/02/2020 03:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

KatherineJaneway · 21/02/2020 03:44

Awful name.

Topseyt · 21/02/2020 03:57

It's a no from me.

Sorry, but it just isn't a nice sounding name. It is one that has always been old fashioned no matter how old the person is.

It should be consigned to history.

NewInTown08 · 21/02/2020 04:23

I usually love old granny names.
I don't know how I feel about Gladys. I hate it and I like it at the same time.
What I like about it is that it's a unique name because I don't think a lot of people will use it, but its familiar at the same time. I also like that it's a strong name.
I think I like it.

CatherineOfAragonsPomegranate · 21/02/2020 04:50

So you have an Elsie Alice and now you want a Gladys?

Too similar sounding. I also think Elsie doesn't draw attention but Gladys will definitely be remarked on meaning that there's a possibility that Elsie may be a bit overlooked by others.

Maybe something still old lady but 'softer' and more complementary of Elsie?

Ava
Meryl/Beryl
Sylvie
Flora
Hattie
Lottie
Daphne

PointlessAddict · 21/02/2020 07:47

@yesyesyesyes you are utterly, utterly vile. I’ve reported your hateful post.

AlpacaGoodnight · 21/02/2020 10:21

I really dislike it BUT if you love it-go for it, as soon as people get used to it she will own the name and make it 'hers'

ArriettyJones · 21/02/2020 10:23

All the old ladies named Gladys used to go by the NN “Glad”, which feels inevitable really, although I suppose she also has the option of “Lyssie” or using a middle name?

ArriettyJones · 21/02/2020 10:26

PP’s suggestion of Beryl is actually really nice because it’s a semi precious stone.

Being brutally honest I think siblings named Elsie Alice and Gladys are at risk of sounding like a set of rhyming Victorian kitchen maids.