Glee Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name 'Glee' originates from Old English, meaning joy or merriment. It has evolved through various forms in the English language and represents happiness and cheerfulness. While there is no biblical relevance, the term has historical roots in music and literature, particularly gaining popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it is commonly associated with joyful performances and has several variants that reflect its meaning.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Glee"
Pronunciation
/ɡli/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name 'Glee' derives from the Old English word 'gleo', which means joy or merriment. It is used to denote a state of happiness and cheerfulness.
Meaning
joy, merriment, happiness
Language Evolution
Old English: gleo, Middle English: gle, Modern English: glee
Historical Usage
The term 'glee' has been used in English literature since the early medieval period, gaining popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries as a term for joyful music or singing.
Variants & Derivatives
Glee Club, Gleeful, Gleefully
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, 'Glee' is often associated with joyful music and performance, especially due to its use in popular culture, including television shows and musical performances.
Famous People
Glee Cast members, Chris Colfer, Lea Michele
📊 Glee Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Glee Name Visualizations
✨ Glee Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 26 peak births in 1918
Geographic Spread
Popular across 2 US states, with strongest presence in Missouri
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Glee"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Glee"
"Glee" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5669th of 7545 | 20 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2317th of 9107 | 258 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2281st of 9204 | 257 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3543rd of 12526 | 219 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 10888th of 19264 | 37 |
Regional Popularity of "Glee" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Glee" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
- | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 2775th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Glee"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Glee" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Glee" in the United States
The name Glee is most popular in Missouri, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Baby Boomers generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Glee has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Glee' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5669th out of 7545 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2317th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2281st out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3543rd out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 10888th out of 19264 names. Discover how the name 'Glee' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.