New Post
Search
Help[Opinions] Gladys, Wanda and Gwendolen
These three names have been on my mind an awful lot. I know the first two might not get rave reviews, but suddenly I think they might just be the coolest thing ever.
What do you think of these names - do you think Gladys and Wanda particularly stad any chance of revival? What would you rate them on a scale of 1-10? Any combo ideas?
thanks!
What do you think of these names - do you think Gladys and Wanda particularly stad any chance of revival? What would you rate them on a scale of 1-10? Any combo ideas?
thanks!
Archived Thread - replies disabled
1
Replies
Wanda is cool. I see a Wanda as being tall and blonde and kind of Hitchcock-glam. The only one I know pronounces it Vanda, which is good too, but I think I like the wander pronunciation a little better.
Gladys and Gwendolen are seriously unpopular in Wales these days, but Gladys seems to have taken off with African parents in the UK: over 100 of them were born in the UK between 1984 and 2004, and they nearly all have African surnames. There are some fun combos, like Gladys Morenike and Gladys Omolola. (African parents choosing British names seem to like our funkier old-lady names: I've got a teenage Ghanaian neighbour called Eunice.)
Combos:
Wanda Gwendolen Gladys ftw!
Wanda Blanche
Wanda Marion
Wanda Jean / Wanda June (like the Vonnegut play)
Wanda Juanita
Gladys Verona
Gladys Olwen (Olwen is quite oldladyish, too)
Gladys Lucille
Gladys Honoria
Gladys Fern
Gwendolen Berenice
Gwendolen Alys
Gwendolen Kitty
Gwendolen Miriam
Gwendolen Sybilla
Gladys and Gwendolen are seriously unpopular in Wales these days, but Gladys seems to have taken off with African parents in the UK: over 100 of them were born in the UK between 1984 and 2004, and they nearly all have African surnames. There are some fun combos, like Gladys Morenike and Gladys Omolola. (African parents choosing British names seem to like our funkier old-lady names: I've got a teenage Ghanaian neighbour called Eunice.)
Combos:
Wanda Gwendolen Gladys ftw!
Wanda Blanche
Wanda Marion
Wanda Jean / Wanda June (like the Vonnegut play)
Wanda Juanita
Gladys Verona
Gladys Olwen (Olwen is quite oldladyish, too)
Gladys Lucille
Gladys Honoria
Gladys Fern
Gwendolen Berenice
Gwendolen Alys
Gwendolen Kitty
Gwendolen Miriam
Gwendolen Sybilla
This message was edited 2/26/2010, 7:49 AM
2
Are Gladys and Gwendolen unpopular in a terribly dated way over there?
I notice that many immigrants here choose old-school names as well and I've always been curious as to why but never felt comfortable asking anyone. I knew an Agnes, Sharon, and a Eunice as well... I find it fascinating.
Wanda Gwendolen Gladys is so amazing I think I just had a brain aneurism.
Gwendolen Kitty is THE BEST THING EVER EVER OMG
Gladys Lucille is too hot to trot. Gladys Lucy also makes me smile.
Gwendolen Sybilla is great BUT it also makes me think of Gwendolen Sylvia which might be even better
Thanks Pie!!
I notice that many immigrants here choose old-school names as well and I've always been curious as to why but never felt comfortable asking anyone. I knew an Agnes, Sharon, and a Eunice as well... I find it fascinating.
Wanda Gwendolen Gladys is so amazing I think I just had a brain aneurism.
Gwendolen Kitty is THE BEST THING EVER EVER OMG
Gladys Lucille is too hot to trot. Gladys Lucy also makes me smile.
Gwendolen Sybilla is great BUT it also makes me think of Gwendolen Sylvia which might be even better
Thanks Pie!!
1
Gladys / Gwladys is like the quintessential old-lady Welsh name. There were just so many of them in the generation that is now over-60 that I can't see it coming back here for a while. I like it though, it's a happy-sounding name.
I'm not sure how much Gwendolen is used here these days, but I've never met or come across one. Gwenllian seems to be the top choice for a long version of Gwen in Wales right now. It reminds me of the girl in Daniel Deronda.
I'm not sure how much Gwendolen is used here these days, but I've never met or come across one. Gwenllian seems to be the top choice for a long version of Gwen in Wales right now. It reminds me of the girl in Daniel Deronda.
1
I find Gwendolen flat and dull. How are you pronouncing Wanda? I only know it with a V sound, but I can imagine there'd be plenty of mistakes. I'm not a fan really - it always sounds plump and round-faced, not necessarily bad things, and I also think of Wendy the Good Little Witch and her wand. Gladys is the best of the lot, and I know a 19-year-old one who's a good graphic artist and studying architecture; as if this were not wonderful enough, she's Congolese!
Gladys Rosalie
Gladys Eleanor
Gladys Anne
Gladys Rosalie
Gladys Eleanor
Gladys Anne
2
Gladys maybe could come back, especially among Latinos, who seem to like -ys names. Wanda is years away from being hip again.
Gladys (5/10) - Has a certain hipster vibe to it. I could definitely warm up to this. I wouldn't a name a kid this now but in a few years it could seem fresh.
Wanda (1/10) - Just an unpleasant name that makes me think of unattractive older ladies. Rhoda's in the same category.
Gwendolen (7/10) - I'd prefer Gwen, but Gwendolen's okay. It's definitely the most usable name on your list.
Gladys (5/10) - Has a certain hipster vibe to it. I could definitely warm up to this. I wouldn't a name a kid this now but in a few years it could seem fresh.
Wanda (1/10) - Just an unpleasant name that makes me think of unattractive older ladies. Rhoda's in the same category.
Gwendolen (7/10) - I'd prefer Gwen, but Gwendolen's okay. It's definitely the most usable name on your list.
1
Gladys to me just conjures the image of a great-aunt who everyone is scared of because she just won't die and still can beat you down. I've also heard kids in my class try and pronounce it Glad-ees instead of Glad-iss.
Wanda is not too bad, but again, image of an old southern woman who people are scared of.
Gwendolen is ok. I'd never use it, but it's the most feminine and girly name on this list.
Wanda is not too bad, but again, image of an old southern woman who people are scared of.
Gwendolen is ok. I'd never use it, but it's the most feminine and girly name on this list.
1
The only one I don't like is Wanda because of the witchy association.
Gwendolen is so pretty. As a combo Gwendolen Diana is always one I consider for no reason in particular. I just like it it because it makes "d"s sound good.
Gladys reminds me of The Best Christmas Pagent Ever. The youngest of this family of rascals is called Gladys. Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys.
I like Gladys, but I couldn't use it because I was in a play of The Best Christmas Pagent Ever.
Gwendolen is so pretty. As a combo Gwendolen Diana is always one I consider for no reason in particular. I just like it it because it makes "d"s sound good.
Gladys reminds me of The Best Christmas Pagent Ever. The youngest of this family of rascals is called Gladys. Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys.
I like Gladys, but I couldn't use it because I was in a play of The Best Christmas Pagent Ever.
1
I love Gladys! It has "glad" right in it, how can that not be pleasant? And Gladys Knight is *the* best female vocalist of all time. Aaaand she had Pips! I certainly hope Gladys could make a come-back. It's so darling. (And could I put a word in for my beloved Glynis?)
Wanda makes me think of magic wands. It's not my taste, but I'd be tickled to be introduced to a little Wanda one day. I love seeing almost any name make a comeback.
Gwendolen is honey smooth, rich and creamy. It always makes me think of the word "golden." And this is my preferred spelling, too. :-)
Gladys Aurelia
Gladys Elinor
Gladys Marjorie
Gladys Hermione
Gladys Matilda
Gladys Rosalie
Gladys Audrey
Gladys Marion
Gladys Penelope
Gladys Cordelia
Gladys Holly
Gladys Delphine
Gladys Lorelei
Gladys Kerensa / Kerenza
Gladys Rowena
Gladys Rosemary
Gladys Olwen
Wanda makes me think of magic wands. It's not my taste, but I'd be tickled to be introduced to a little Wanda one day. I love seeing almost any name make a comeback.
Gwendolen is honey smooth, rich and creamy. It always makes me think of the word "golden." And this is my preferred spelling, too. :-)
Gladys Aurelia
Gladys Elinor
Gladys Marjorie
Gladys Hermione
Gladys Matilda
Gladys Rosalie
Gladys Audrey
Gladys Marion
Gladys Penelope
Gladys Cordelia
Gladys Holly
Gladys Delphine
Gladys Lorelei
Gladys Kerensa / Kerenza
Gladys Rowena
Gladys Rosemary
Gladys Olwen
This message was edited 2/25/2010, 10:32 AM
2
I've always wanted two really furry cats called Gwendolen and Cecily, but my foolish family won't let me.
1
how I heart you
You are just one of the awesomest. Gwendolen makes me think of golden-thick honey too! Great minds.
And I'm so pleased another person understands my interest in Gladys. There is just something about it, no? Man, I want so bad to have a Gladys so I can get an old-school heart tattoo on my bicep with the word "GLADYS" in it. Because that is rockin'. It really is such a scrappy-happy name. Glad indeed.
I really love these:
Gladys Matilda - Omg, Gladys Millie would also be rad
Gladys Audrey - sooo classy
Gladys Marion - YES!
Gladys Rowena - this is great. It makes me think of a little sleepy village in a spooky old forest somewhere in england.
Gladys Rosemary - this is so sweet. It's the sweet side of Gladys. She'll make you cookies after she kicks you in the shin.
Gladys Bryony - I am enjoying the Y trifecta
Gwendolen Ivy - ohhh so nice.
Gwendolen Io ("EE-o") - hey now, I always forget about Io! That there is one hip-hop-happenin' combo
Gwendolen Cecily - I don't get the joke but I like the names!
Gwendolen Phoebe - this is great. It gives the name about five hundred megawatts of cheer
Gwendolen Alice / Alix / Alys - all so great.
You are just one of the awesomest. Gwendolen makes me think of golden-thick honey too! Great minds.
And I'm so pleased another person understands my interest in Gladys. There is just something about it, no? Man, I want so bad to have a Gladys so I can get an old-school heart tattoo on my bicep with the word "GLADYS" in it. Because that is rockin'. It really is such a scrappy-happy name. Glad indeed.
I really love these:
Gladys Matilda - Omg, Gladys Millie would also be rad
Gladys Audrey - sooo classy
Gladys Marion - YES!
Gladys Rowena - this is great. It makes me think of a little sleepy village in a spooky old forest somewhere in england.
Gladys Rosemary - this is so sweet. It's the sweet side of Gladys. She'll make you cookies after she kicks you in the shin.
Gladys Bryony - I am enjoying the Y trifecta
Gwendolen Ivy - ohhh so nice.
Gwendolen Io ("EE-o") - hey now, I always forget about Io! That there is one hip-hop-happenin' combo
Gwendolen Cecily - I don't get the joke but I like the names!
Gwendolen Phoebe - this is great. It gives the name about five hundred megawatts of cheer
Gwendolen Alice / Alix / Alys - all so great.
2
It's a good thing I'm eating my luch right now or I'd have to go out and buy some oatmeal cookies and dribble honey all over them.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You're going to have to have an awful lot of kids to satisfy all those name cravings. I thought I was the only one who thinks of food when I read / see a name. :-) And Gwendolen Amelia fits right in. Maybe I'll go get those cookies afterall . . . .
P.S. Gwendolen and Cecily are the female characters in "The Importance of Being Earnest." Where Wilde got the names is the real inside joke. It may make you change your mind about the combo, so I won't tell you. It's really an obscure reference anyway.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You're going to have to have an awful lot of kids to satisfy all those name cravings. I thought I was the only one who thinks of food when I read / see a name. :-) And Gwendolen Amelia fits right in. Maybe I'll go get those cookies afterall . . . .
P.S. Gwendolen and Cecily are the female characters in "The Importance of Being Earnest." Where Wilde got the names is the real inside joke. It may make you change your mind about the combo, so I won't tell you. It's really an obscure reference anyway.
2
I am dumb
I've read that play and seen the movie, how the heck did I not get that reference! I simply must find out where he got the names, I love trivia stuff like that. I bet it's simply scandalous in true Wilde fashion.
I started a list of names that remind me of food or food textures after I responded to your post, I could share it with you if you like. I need help finding partners for the crunchy vegetable names.
I have a feeling I am going to end up with a lot of pets with nice human names because my chances of my having lots of kids and staying sane is not good.
I've read that play and seen the movie, how the heck did I not get that reference! I simply must find out where he got the names, I love trivia stuff like that. I bet it's simply scandalous in true Wilde fashion.
I started a list of names that remind me of food or food textures after I responded to your post, I could share it with you if you like. I need help finding partners for the crunchy vegetable names.
I have a feeling I am going to end up with a lot of pets with nice human names because my chances of my having lots of kids and staying sane is not good.
1
I do not see Gladys or Wanda being revived for quite a while, if they are revived. Maybe some of them would be novel to hear, but ultimately extremely awkward and hoary-sounding (in a non-classic way). Sorry.
Gwendolen is nice. I prefer Gwyneth. Have you considered Glynis? Glenys?
Gwendolen is nice. I prefer Gwyneth. Have you considered Glynis? Glenys?
This message was edited 2/25/2010, 10:17 AM
1
I think I'm in an awkward stage
I am currently loving the most atrocious of names - real unappealing stuff like Vernon and Sylvester and Peg and Marsha. Oh the horror. I don't know what's got into me - they just seem so grumpy and detestable that I love them, like an ugly bulldog's face that makes you smile.
Gwyneth is a little too spineless for me right now. Glynis is promising. thanks!
I am currently loving the most atrocious of names - real unappealing stuff like Vernon and Sylvester and Peg and Marsha. Oh the horror. I don't know what's got into me - they just seem so grumpy and detestable that I love them, like an ugly bulldog's face that makes you smile.
Gwyneth is a little too spineless for me right now. Glynis is promising. thanks!
1
I love the look of Gladys, but not the sound. G-blends usually don't get great reviews from me. (And on that note, Gwen- names in general aren't my style personally though I see nothing wrong with it.)
My mother is named Wanda. She absolutely hates her name and has all of her life. She says the only place she ever finds it on anything is on witchy things during Halloween. I don't think the name is terrible, but I've seen how much she detests it.
I prefer Vanda, personally.
My mom is named Wanda Darlene, but that's pretty terrible as a whole.
Wanda Elaine is another one I know.
I would think if you used it to pair it with something classier:
Wanda Marguerite
Wanda Rosalie
Wanda Selene
Wanda Estelle
Wanda Florence
Wanda Ivory
Wanda Elizabeth
Wanda Katherine
Wanda Aurore
My mother is named Wanda. She absolutely hates her name and has all of her life. She says the only place she ever finds it on anything is on witchy things during Halloween. I don't think the name is terrible, but I've seen how much she detests it.
I prefer Vanda, personally.
My mom is named Wanda Darlene, but that's pretty terrible as a whole.
Wanda Elaine is another one I know.
I would think if you used it to pair it with something classier:
Wanda Marguerite
Wanda Rosalie
Wanda Selene
Wanda Estelle
Wanda Florence
Wanda Ivory
Wanda Elizabeth
Wanda Katherine
Wanda Aurore
This message was edited 2/25/2010, 10:11 AM
1
I told her and she said she is glad that someone does.
I think she's willing to trade or sell it to you. :p
I think she's willing to trade or sell it to you. :p
1