Ethel & Gladys: Any variation/combination that isn't terrible?

CD+AL

Without going into a lot of detail, both of these names have major significance for us, but I just don't find anything attractive about either name other than the sentiment even with the trend of "old" names becoming popular again. 

I guess I'm mostly asking out of curiosity b/c I've looked high and low to no avail...Maybe I've missed something somewhere.  Is there a variation of either name that is more attractive?  Can you think of a combo (fn and one of these as a mn) that sounds like a name you'd actually use?

Edit for clarification: I'm not really looking for a way to use BOTH names.  Just one or the other.

PrincessJesci

My great grandma's name was Catherine Ethel and she always went by Ethel because her mom's name was also Catherine. (Silly Irish family, makes geneological research impossible.) That being said, I've lived with this name for a good portion of my life and its just not pretty. There are two other versions: Ethelda and Ethelred (eTHELda, eTHELrud).

Ethel means "noble" so maybe you could find another name that you like that also means noble? I'm sure there are plenty of babyname search engines that could help you out with that.

Good luck!

ames71

I love a lot of the older names, but not these two. I think some of these older names shouldn't make a come-back. Sorry.

krissyh21

If you are just looking to use one name, use one as a middle name and be done with it. Middle names IMO, are never said together with the first name so flow really is not important if you are honoring someone by using it. If you choose a generic "filler" name - then yeah go for flow.

elyshaswedding

According to Nameberry, Gladys is a Welsh variation of the name Claudia, which is cute, IMO.

And for some reason, I kind of like Ethelda.

krogers0905

The only versions I can think of are Ethylia and Gladessa

EastCoastBride

In jewish tradition, people often use the first letter of a name.  DH's cousin named her DD after their grandfather, Herschel.  They named her Hannah.

I personally would go that route.

MMP

I love the name Edie.

MrsTyler04

My grandma's name is Ethelene.  Hope that helps.

And Ketch

I second Claudia.  We considered this since my grandmother is also Gladys.  DH nixed it b/c he thinks if we name our DD Claudia she will become a supermodel and that would be a nightmare for him

 

What about Ellis?

Flowr4246

EastCoastBride:

In jewish tradition, people often use the first letter of a name.  DH's cousin named her DD after their grandfather, Herschel.  They named her Hannah.

I personally would go that route.

Agreed.  Go with the initials.

LoriFalce

And Ketch:

 

What about Ellis?

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

 

J+R

Ellis is cute!!

SaintPaulieGirl

What about:

Adyson Ethel?

Ester (nn Essie)?

I vote either of them for a middle name, but I'd choose Ethel over Gladys as the middle name.

Good luck!

 

sunnyday016

Etta?

Jermysgirl

I love Ethel...I think it's classic and simple.  Gladys always makes me think of GladAss. 

lovesazzie

MMP:

I love the name Edie.

Agreed! I like the idea of just using the initial. Edie Grace?