Glenda is a unique and beautiful feminine given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh word "glan," which means "clean" or "pure." The name Glenda is often associated with its variant spelling, Glenys, which also means "holy" or "sacred." In some cases, Glenda may be considered a variation of the name Glennda, which is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word "gleann," meaning "valley."
The name Glenda has been used for centuries in Wales and Scotland, but it gained popularity as a given name in the English-speaking world during the 20th century. It was particularly popular in the United States and Canada during the mid-20th century, peaking in popularity during the 1940s and 1950s.
Despite its Welsh origins, Glenda is not limited to Welsh families. It has been embraced by people of various backgrounds and cultures due to its appealing sound and meaning. Its association with purity, holiness, and cleanliness makes it a fitting choice for parents seeking a name that reflects positivity and goodness.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals named Glenda, including:
* Glenda Jackson (born 1936), an English actress who won two Academy Awards for Best Actress in the 1970s.
* Glenda del Monte (born 1946), a Filipino politician and former beauty queen who served as a senator from 2001 to 2007.
* Glenda Gilson (born 1981), an Irish television presenter and journalist.
These individuals have helped popularize the name Glenda further, inspiring more parents to choose this unique and meaningful name for their daughters. Overall, Glenda is a beautiful and significant name with Welsh origins that continues to captivate people around the world.
The name Glenda has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early 1900s, it was quite uncommon, with fewer than 15 births per year between 1900 and 1923.
However, things started to change in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The number of babies named Glenda began to increase rapidly, reaching a peak of 680 births in 1933. This trend continued throughout the 1940s, with over 2,000 births each year between 1941 and 1949.
The 1950s saw Glenda's popularity continue to grow, with over 3,000 births per year from 1950 to 1956. However, this was the peak of its popularity, as the number of babies named Glenda began to decline steadily throughout the rest of the century.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, fewer than 1,000 babies were being named Glenda each year. This trend continued into the 1980s, with fewer than 350 births per year on average between 1980 and 1989.
The 1990s saw a further decline in popularity for the name Glenda, with fewer than 200 births per year recorded. This trend has continued into the 21st century, with fewer than 50 babies being named Glenda each year between 2000 and 2022.
In total, over the past century, there have been approximately 109,179 babies named Glenda in the United States. While it was once a popular choice for parents, its popularity has since waned, making it less common today than it was in previous decades.