Gladys

Gladys

See also: Gładys and Gładyś

English

Alternative forms

• Gwladys

Etymology

Anglicized from Welsh Gwladus, of uncertain origin, perhaps connected with gwlad (“country”).

Proper noun

Gladys

1. A female given name.
   • 1882 Edna Lyall: Donovan:

     Gladys was the eldest daughter of the house, and when her parents had chosen her name - a name which they considered emblematic of happiness, in spite of certain questionings that had arisen among the name fanciers on the subject - it would seem that some unseen fairy godmother had really bestowed that best of all gifts on their child, for Gladys was the happiest, most contented, sunshiny little person imaginable.

   • 1922 F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Beautiful and Damned:

     Anthony continued the prophecy:

     "Of course Gladys and Eleanor, having graced the last generation of heroines and being at present in their social prime, will be passed on to the next generation of shopgirls -"

   • 1993 May 16, "Return to New York" Jeeves and Wooster, Series 3, Episode 6:

     R. Jeeves: In my experience, ladies who spell Gladys with a W are seldom noted for their reliability, sir. It gives them romantic notions.
     B.W. Wooster: With a W, Jeeves? No, no, no, no. You spell it with a G.
     R. Jeeves: If I might draw your attention to the signature on the portrait, sir.
     B.W. Wooster: Good Lord! G-W?
     R. Jeeves: I blame Alfred Lord Tennyson and his Idylls of the King. It also accounts for Kathryn, Ysabel, and Ethyl, all spelt with a Y, but Gwladys is a particularly virulent form, sir.