Gilbert
Gilbert: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɡɪlbɚt/
Meaning and origin of Gilbert
Root meaning: “pledge”
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
Etymology
From Old French Gislebert, from Proto-Germanic *Gīslaberhtaz, from *gīslaz (“pledge”) + *berhtaz (“bright, famous”).
How popular is Gilbert?
Since 1880, 673 girls and 130,148 boys in the U.S. have been named Gilbert (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1551 in 1904. Its highest rank for boys was #90 in 1930. In 2025, 145 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Gilbert
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Germanic boy names
Sibling name ideas for Gilbert
Sister and brother names that share Gilbert's Germanic roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Gilbert FAQ
What does the name Gilbert mean?
Gilbert traces back to a root meaning "pledge". A male given name from the Germanic languages. From Old French Gislebert, from Proto-Germanic *Gīslaberhtaz, from *gīslaz (“pledge”) + *berhtaz (“bright, famous”).
What is the origin of the name Gilbert?
Gilbert is listed as a name of Germanic origin.
How popular is the name Gilbert?
Since 1880, 673 girls and 130,148 boys in the U.S. have been named Gilbert (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #1551 in 1904. Its highest rank for boys was #90 in 1930. In 2025, 145 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Gilbert a boy or girl name?
Gilbert is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 673 girls and 130,148 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.