Quick answer
Gladys is a girl name with Old Welsh roots meaning "country".
Pronunciation: English /ˈɡlæd.ɪs/; French /ɡla.dis/; Spanish /ˈɡla.ðis/.
Meaning and history
This name comes from the Old Welsh name Gwladus, probably derived from gwlad meaning "country". Alternatively, it may have been adopted as a Welsh form of Claudia. Saint Gwladus or Gwladys was the mother of Saint Cadoc. She was one of the daughters of Brychan Brycheiniog. This name became popular outside of Wales after it was used in Ouida's novel Puck (1870).
Notes and context
Usage: welsh, english, french, spanish