Glenda
Coined in the twentieth century from Welsh glân (“holy, fair”) and da (“good”).
Every Glenda since 1900 — 109,522 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Glenda
Glenda is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #5,987 in 2025 with 20 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1900, 109,522 American babies have been named Glenda. Its peak came in 1950, when 4,224 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Glenda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Glenda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20 | #5,987 | — | — |
| 2024 | 24 | #5,353 | — | — |
| 2023 | 23 | #5,449 | — | — |
| 2022 | 18 | #6,542 | — | — |
| 2021 | 27 | #4,888 | — | — |
| 2020 | 24 | #5,215 | — | — |
| 2019 | 22 | #5,674 | — | — |
| 2018 | 24 | #5,369 | — | — |
| 2017 | 24 | #5,423 | — | — |
| 2016 | 33 | #4,377 | — | — |
| 2015 | 27 | #5,029 | — | — |
| 2014 | 30 | #4,693 | — | — |
| 2013 | 32 | #4,461 | — | — |
| 2012 | 39 | #3,945 | — | — |
| 2011 | 48 | #3,370 | — | — |
| 2010 | 46 | #3,480 | — | — |
| 2009 | 57 | #3,015 | — | — |
| 2008 | 61 | #2,899 | — | — |
| 2007 | 75 | #2,494 | — | — |
| 2006 | 72 | #2,542 | — | — |
| 2005 | 89 | #2,095 | — | — |
| 2004 | 66 | #2,537 | — | — |
| 2003 | 90 | #2,008 | — | — |
| 2002 | 95 | #1,874 | — | — |
| 2001 | 86 | #1,984 | — | — |
| 2000 | 96 | #1,805 | — | — |
| 1995 | 135 | #1,256 | — | — |
| 1990 | 175 | #1,030 | — | — |
| 1985 | 213 | #785 | — | — |
| 1980 | 327 | #567 | — | — |
| 1975 | 444 | #443 | — | — |
| 1970 | 893 | #312 | — | — |
| 1965 | 1,514 | #217 | 5 | #4,122 |
| 1960 | 2,689 | #158 | 10 | #2,752 |
| 1955 | 3,344 | #128 | 11 | #2,483 |
| 1950 | 4,215 | #87 | 9 | #2,652 |
| 1945 | 2,963 | #92 | 10 | #2,306 |
| 1940 | 2,353 | #107 | 9 | #2,559 |
| 1935 | 1,144 | #169 | 7 | #3,080 |
| 1930 | 181 | #495 | — | — |
| 1925 | 143 | #611 | — | — |
| 1920 | 110 | #697 | — | — |
| 1915 | 68 | #800 | — | — |
| 1910 | 10 | #1,563 | — | — |
| 1905 | 11 | #1,203 | — | — |
| 1900 | 5 | #2,046 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Glenda
- Glenda Jackson Politician · b. 1936
- Glenda Farrell Actor · 1904–1971
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Glenda mean?
Coined in the twentieth century from Welsh glân (“holy, fair”) and da (“good”).
How popular is the name Glenda in 2025?
Glenda ranked #5,987 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 20 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Glenda?
109,522 babies have been named Glenda in the United States since 1900, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Glenda most popular?
Glenda peaked in 1950, when 4,224 newborns received the name.
Is Glenda a boy or girl name?
Glenda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Glenda rising or falling?
Glenda is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Glenda?
Well-known people named Glenda include Glenda Jackson (politician), Glenda Farrell (actor).