The nameGilbert
Gilbert is a Norman name meaning "bright pledge". It was a top 100 American name around 1930.
- Boy's name
- Germanic
- Feast day
Meaning
Gilbert comes from the Germanic gisil, "pledge, hostage", and berht, "bright".
Origin
Germanic, through Norman French.
History
Saint Gilbert of Sempringham founded the Gilbertines, the only religious order born in medieval England. In the United States Gilbert reached 90th in 1930.
Did you know?
- W. S. Gilbert wrote the words of The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado, set to music by Arthur Sullivan.
Famous people named Gilbert
- G. K. Chesterton, writer
- Gilbert Blythe, character in Anne of Green Gables
- Gilbert Gottfried, comedian
Popularity of the name Gilbert
Gilbert in the United States
Gilbert was most popular in the United States in the 1950s, with 18,929 births over the decade, 14% of all recorded babies named Gilbert. Its rise began around 1908, and it peaked in 1930. Half of all babies named Gilbert in the United States were born before 1948, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 158 births a year on average, against 192 in the five years before.
Gilbert in the United Kingdom
Gilbert was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 282 births over the decade, 49% of all recorded babies named Gilbert. Half of all babies named Gilbert in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 18 births a year on average, against 24 in the five years before.
Gilbert in France
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Gilbert
Names from the same generation as Gilbert, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Gilbert? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Gilbert with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Gilbert side by side with the name of your choice.
Gilbert in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gilbert mean?
Gilbert comes from the Germanic gisil, "pledge, hostage", and berht, "bright".
What is the origin of the name Gilbert?
Germanic, through Norman French.
Is Gilbert a girl's or a boy's name?
Gilbert is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Gilbert?
In 2024, Gilbert was the 1396th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 134 births.
What are the variants of the name Gilbert?
Variants and related names of Gilbert include Gilberte.
What are good sibling names for Gilbert?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Linda, Yvette, Carla and Alisha for a sister, Gerald, Freddy, Fredrick and Karl for a brother.
Who are famous people named Gilbert?
G. K. Chesterton, writer; Gilbert Blythe, character in Anne of Green Gables; Gilbert Gottfried, comedian.