Glynis
Primarily a girl's name of Welsh origin with 2,014 recorded births. Also given to 10 boys.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Welsh, variant of Glenys.
Glynis is a girl's and boy's baby name of Welsh origin, a variant of Glenys, from the Welsh glyn meaning 'valley.' Actress Glynis Johns, known for her role as the suffragette mother in Mary Poppins (1964) and later in Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, is its most celebrated bearer.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Glynis belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Welsh naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Welsh names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Glynis’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Glynis has 57+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1939.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 21 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 63 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 79 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 153 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,131 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 491 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 71 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | — |
The Story of Glynis
A Baby Boomer name
Peaking in 1963, Glynis is a timeless Baby Boomer name. Girls named Glynis are most likely born between 1953 and 1973.
How rare is Glynis?
With 2,014 total births on record, Glynis remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1939, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 1,131 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Glynis by the numbers
- Would fill 42 school buses
- Meeting one Glynis per day would take 5.5 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(57 years, 1939–2008)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | #18487 |
| 2004 | 5 | #17020 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14199 |
| 2000 | 5 | #15893 |
| 1997 | 5 | #14534 |
| 1996 | 7 | #10976 |
| 1995 | 12 | #7200 |
| 1993 | 9 | #8976 |
| 1992 | 10 | #8288 |
| 1991 | 9 | #8837 |
| 1990 | 11 | #7485 |
| 1989 | 12 | #6676 |
| 1988 | 7 | #9598 |
| 1987 | 5 | #11927 |
| 1986 | 11 | #6310 |
| 1985 | 9 | #7150 |
| 1983 | 9 | #6899 |
| 1982 | 10 | #6520 |
| 1981 | 8 | #7636 |
| 1980 | 8 | #7635 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Glynis as a Boy's Name
While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Glynis has also been given to 10 boys in the U.S. since 1961.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glynis a boy's or girl's name?
When was Glynis most popular?
How popular is the name Glynis?
Can Glynis be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1939–2008