Back to Baby Names

Gloria

Pronunciation: [ gl-AWR-ee-uh ]

Girl Name #654 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

A radiant vintage name meaning pure glory

Latin English Spanish Italian American
Vintage Elegant Bold Classic Sophisticated

Meaning & Origin

"glory, fame"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
"renown, honor"
Origin: Latin
Language: English

The Story of Gloria

Gloria comes directly from the Latin word gloria, meaning glory, fame, or renown. It entered widespread use as a given name in the early 20th century in English-speaking countries, though it has been used in Catholic traditions for centuries through the Gloria prayer, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Glory to God in the Highest. The name carries a triumphant, radiant quality that has made it a mid-century classic now enjoying a vintage revival.

Gloria peaked in the US in the 1940s-50s, associated with the golden age of Hollywood. It is experiencing a revival as parents rediscover mid-century names with a sophisticated, vintage feel. Gloria Gayners I Will Survive keeps the name culturally vibrant across generations.

The Gloria is one of the oldest Christian hymns, dating to the 3rd century, making this name deeply embedded in Western religious culture. In Spanish-speaking cultures, Gloria remains a timeless classic that crosses generations naturally.

Fun Facts

  • The Gloria prayer has been sung in Christian worship since at least the 3rd century AD and remains central to Catholic and Anglican liturgy
  • Gloria Steinem named her influential feminist magazine Ms. in 1971, reshaping how women were addressed in American culture

Gloria in Other Languages

Latin Gloria
French Gloria
German Gloria
Italian Gloria
Spanish Gloria
Portuguese Glória

Famous People Named Gloria

G

Gloria Gaynor

Musician

1943

American singer known as the Queen of Disco, famous for the timeless anthem I Will Survive

G

Gloria Steinem

Activist

1934

American feminist, journalist, and social political activist who co-founded Ms. magazine and became the face of the wome...

American feminist, journalist, and social political activist who co-founded Ms. magazine and became the face of the womens liberation movement

G

Gloria Delgado-Pritchett Fictional

Other

Beloved character from the ABC series Modern Family, portrayed by Sofia Vergara, known for her warmth and fierce love of...

Beloved character from the ABC series Modern Family, portrayed by Sofia Vergara, known for her warmth and fierce love of family

Quick Facts

Gender
Girl
Syllables
3
Popularity Rank
#654
Total SSA Count
447
Cultural Origins
Latin English Spanish Italian American
Pronunciation
Easy
Formality
Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease
High

Alternative Spellings

Common Nicknames

Glo Glori

Pairs Well With

Gloria Jean Gloria Ann Gloria Marie Gloria Rose Gloria Mae Gloria Faye Gloria Jane

Sibling Names

Also a Boy Name

Gloria is also used as a boy name, ranked #38714.

View Gloria as a boy name →

Similar Names

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

Can't decide?

Start a tournament bracket with Gloria and other names you're considering.

Start a Tournament

Like this name?

Check how Gloria sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.

Analyze This Name
Browse more girl names →

Explore More Generators

Frequently Asked Questions About Gloria

What does the name Gloria mean?
"glory, fame" (from Latin). "renown, honor" (from Latin). Gloria comes directly from the Latin word gloria, meaning glory, fame, or renown. It entered widespread use as a given name in the early 20th century in English-speaking countries, though it has been used in Catholic traditions for centuries through the Gloria prayer, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Glory to God in the Highest. The name carries a triumphant, radiant quality that has made it a mid-century classic now enjoying a vintage revival.
What is the origin of the name Gloria?
Gloria has Latin, English, Spanish, Italian, and American origins. In Latin, it means "glory, fame". In Latin, it means "renown, honor".
Is Gloria a boy or girl name?
Gloria is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #654. As a boy name, it is ranked #38714. Gloria is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Gloria?
Gloria is pronounced gl-AWR-ee-uh.
How popular is the name Gloria?
Gloria is currently ranked #654 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Gloria?
Common nicknames for Gloria include Glo and Glori.
What are good middle names for Gloria?
Popular middle name pairings include Gloria Jean, Gloria Ann, Gloria Marie, Gloria Rose, Gloria Mae, Gloria Faye, and Gloria Jane.
What are good sibling names for Gloria?
Names that pair well with Gloria as siblings include Frank, Vincent, Sylvia, Vera, Eugene, Dorothy, and Lawrence.
How many syllables does Gloria have?
Gloria has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Gloria a common or rare name?
Gloria is moderately common, ranked #654 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.

About the Name Gloria

Gloria is a girl name with Latin, English, Spanish, Italian, and American origins . The name means "glory, fame" in Latin .

Is Gloria a boy or girl name? Gloria is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #654 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #38,714. Gloria is more commonly used as a girl name.

Gloria is currently ranked #654 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Gloria has 3 syllables and is pronounced gl-AWR-ee-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Gloria include Glo and Glori. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Gloria include Glory . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.

Explore Name Lists