Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Gloria
GirlLatin· “glory”
- Meaning
- glory
- Origin
- Latin
- Pronunciation
- GLAW-ree-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #655
- US babies 2025
- 437
- Best rank
- #20 (1925)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Gloria
Gloria is a Latin name that means “glory”.
Gloria is the Latin word for "glory", familiar from the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo, "Glory to God in the highest". It was rarely used as a given name until the end of the nineteenth century, when a character in a play by George Bernard Shaw helped bring it into fashion. It became common in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. Actress Gloria Swanson, singer Gloria Estefan and writer Gloria Steinem are well-known bearers. The name sounds bright and confident, with a warm vintage charm. Glo is an occasional nickname.
Popularity over time
Gloria first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 129 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #20 in 1925, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 12,627 were named Gloria. In 2025, 437 babies were named Gloria, and it ranked #655 nationally. That is 27% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #195 in 1920, #30 in 1950, #239 in 1980, #358 in 2000, #509 in 2010, and #655 in 2025. Of the 415,281 US girls named Gloria since records began, 25% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 86,705 babies. Since 2010, 8,447 more have been named Gloria.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Marilyn, Martha, Bonnie, Jane, and Phyllis.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gloria ranked highest in Kansas, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | #374 | 9 |
| Wisconsin | #463 | 11 |
| Massachusetts | #498 | 11 |
| Alabama | #498 | 10 |
| California | #503 | 66 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Gloria is usually pronounced GLAW-ree-uh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with G and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Gloria
A few middle names that flow with Gloria: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gloria
Similar names
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Lists that include Gloria
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gloria mean?
Gloria is a Latin name that means “glory”.
What is the origin of the name Gloria?
Gloria has Latin roots. Gloria is the Latin word for "glory", familiar from the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo, "Glory to God in the highest".
Is Gloria a popular name?
Yes. Gloria ranked #655 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Gloria a boy or girl name?
Gloria is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Gloria?
Gloria is usually pronounced GLAW-ree-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings