Gilbert is a given name of Norman-French origin, itself from Germanic Gisilberht or Gisalberht. Original spellings included Gislebert, Guilbert and Gilebert. The first element, Gil-, comes from Germanic gīsil, meaning "shaft of an arrow" or gisal "pledge, hostage", while the second element, -bert comes from Germanic -behrt, short form of beraht, meaning "bright" or "famous". The name spread in France and was introduced to England by the Normans, where it was popular during the Middle Ages.

Variant spellings have evolved throughout Europe, including the Iberian/Italian version Gilberto and, as was the custom across Europe, given a Latin language version Gilbertus, to be used alongside a person's native variant. The diminutives Gil, Gillie and Bert eventually became popular as a standalone given name or nickname. Gilberte is the feminized version of the name. Gilbert, with variant spellings, is also used as a surname (see Gilbert (surname)).

Translations

People with the name

Fictional characters

  • Gilbert, a cat in the Canadian children's television series Caillou
  • Gilbert, an anthropomorphic globe from Don't Hug Me I'm Scared
  • Gilbert Bates, a recurring character in the television series Leave It to Beaver
  • Gilbert Beilschmidt, the human name of the personification of Prussia in the anime series Hetalia: Axis Powers
  • Gilbert Blythe, a character in the novel series Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
  • Gilbert Bougainvillea, a major in the Leidenschaftlich army from the anime and manga Violet Evergarden
  • Gilbert Cocteau, one of the main characters of the manga series Kaze to Ki no Uta
  • Gilbert Dauterive, the cousin of the Bill Dauterive in the animated television series King of the Hill
  • Gilbert Grape, the eponymous character of the 1993 film What's Eating Gilbert Grape
  • Gil Grissom, a forensic entomologist in the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
  • Gibert Huph, a character in the 2004 Disney/Pixar animated film The Incredibles
  • Gilbert G.P. Guilford, the commander of the Glaston Knights in the anime series Code Geass
  • Gilbert Markham, the principal narrator of the novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
  • Gilbert Nightray, a character in the manga and anime series Pandora Hearts
  • Gilbert, a character in the 2022 film Hocus Pocus 2

Popularity

In England and Wales, Gilbert ranked 64th in popularity in 1904, 72nd in 1914 and 95th in 1924. By 1934 it had dropped out of the Top 100.

See also