Girls name - Gladys?

[Sheffield2000]

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!

I had an aunt called Beryl it is beyond grim. On a par with Gladys.

A great aunt in fact.

It's one of those names I never thought would come back, because it sounds so awful. Also Beryl, and Bertha and Ethel. Interesting to see I am wrong!

Unlike Gladys, i feel like Beryl is a beatiful sound. But I realise its extremely subjective. If i tune out fashion, gladys still sounds so harsh 🥴

If you love it but don't use it, you will regret it in 5 years time when it makes a comeback.

I love it (it was my nans name) but I don't think she will thank you for it !

I've just checked the Scottish records and Gladys has been used quite a few times in the last ten years as a middle name. Presumably these girls are getting Gladys as a middle name after their grannies. But if it's making a comeback as a middle name, I reckon it'll come back has a first name soon.

After their great grannies probably, it’s very turn of the 20th century. I’m dreading the comeback of my generation’s names - all those poor Lindas, Susans, Elaines and Jennifers.

I like the name Gladys

Gloria on the other hand is awful

Gladys Dulcie

HHHHHHIIIIIIDEOUS.

I love it! My Gran was a Gladys, she was lovely and feisty as hell! A great character.

Oh wow, Dulcie, haven’t heard that for years, it’s gorgeous.

Not really my cup.of tea.

What did you name your little one? Thanks for your lovely comment

What about Hilda, Edna, Joyce?

I love it! My dad's auntie Gladys was called Lal for short and another Gladys I know was nicknamed Dizzy.

Thank you for your responses. They have been really interesting to read. Some of the comments have confirmed for me why I try to stay away from online forums. It’s a shame that people can be such cutting with comments like ‘cruel’ ‘sht’ ‘horrid’. I didn’t see the comments that were removed and I’m glad I didn’t. Everyone has different tastes and that makes the world interesting. Thank you to those who have disliked the name gracefully and offered suggestions and even bigger thank you to those who have been so encouraging. I know I’m in a minority for liking this name and if we decide to call our daughter Gladys, she will probably not meet another Gladys in her age bracket. That’s part of the reason why I like it. I hope I will be able to bring my daughter up to be strong and secure with her identity, regardless of her name.
I’m still not sure. I have moments where I love it and then feel doubtful again. Nothing is an obvious choice for us this time, hence making the post. I will definitely ponder it some more.
Thanks again mums and mums to be.

While I understand you like the name, I do think you need to think how she might feel. Your other daughter has a pretty, quite popular modern sounding name, 'Elsie'. Whereas you're proposing to give your next daughter a harsher, well gone out of fashion never heard for a reason for most name, 'Gladys'. It does seem rather unbalanced...

I think if you ask for people’s opinions on a name which does have a very dated image, you have to accept opinions, worded as you prefer them or not.
If you are still dithering about the name, there lies your answer.

all those poor Lindas, Susans, Elaines and Jennifers.

Those are not in the league of Gladys etc.

I know I’m in a minority for liking this name and if we decide to call our daughter Gladys, she will probably not meet another Gladys in her age bracket

She might not, but she may meet people who have the same response to her name as posters here, who are equally upfront.

I don’t think the answer is to stay away from online forums but to consider the name may have similar reactions in real life. And your dd will be the one who has to deal with them.

Go with your heart @Sheffield2000

I have a name that is regularly on the ‘oh that’s a horrid name’ list. Same with my sibling.

Interestingly, my mum was going to call us after beloved family members but was told it was too old fashioned, horrible etc and was persuaded to go with the trendy names of the day.

And guess which names are now ultra popular and the names to have? Yup - the ‘old fashioned’ ones...

Do what you feel.

A person is much more than a name

And bear in mind, she might come out and look nothing like a Gladys! You’ll know what she should be

Sorry it's awful and a no from me

To some posters Elsie may be 'modern sounding' but really it's just the same vintage as Gladys. They are both much older in origin but both became popular in the late 19th cent and this popularity continued until the 1920s/1930s.
www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2017/02/elsie.html
www.britishbabynames.com/blog/name-lists/

Elsie has been 'rediscovered', Gladys not yet - so far.

If you like it, go for it, OP.