Gilbert

For many more names, please Return to Edgar's Main Page.

Gilbert

Gender: Masculine
Language: English, French, Flemish, Dutch
Etymology:
Gilbert is the modern English form of Gisilbert, a Germanic name meaning “Pledge Bright.”

History:
Gilbert was introduced to England by the Normans and became a medieval favorite (partially due to the English St. Gilbert of Sempringham) in England and Scotland. It was revived strongly during the 19th century and was very common for a time.

Pronunciation: gill-bert.

Diminutives:
English: Gil, Gill, Bert.

Alternates: Gisbert, Gysbert.
Latin: Gilebertus, Gillebertus, Gilibertus.
Norman French: Guilbert.
Spanish: Gilberto.

Surnames: Gibbs, Gibson, Gibbons.

Feminine: Gilberta.

See also: Gilberto.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828)
American painter.
Guilbert de Pixérécourt (1773-1844)
French playwright.
Gilbert Patten (1866-1945)
American writer.
G(ilbert) K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
British writer.
Gilbert Sorrentino (1929-)
American poet.
Gilbert Kalisch (1935-)
American pianist.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Sir Gilbert Hay (15th century)
Scottish translator.
Gilbert Duprez (1806-1896)
French music teacher.
Gilbert Murray (1866-1957)
British scholar.
Gilbert H. Grosvenor (1875-1966)
American geographer.
Gilbert Ames Bliss (1876-1951)
American mathematician.
Gilbert Ryle (1900-1976)
British philosopher.
Gilbert Chase (1906-1992)
American musicologist.

Fictional Characters:
Gilbert Blythe
From L.M. Montgomery’s novel Anne of Green Gables.

Miscellaneous:
Gilbert Imlay (?-1828)
American adventurer.

Places:
Gilbert Islands
West Pacific.

Political Figures:
Gilbert de Clare (1243-1295)
Welsh supporter of King Henry III of England.
Gilbert Motier de La Fayette (1380-1462)
Marshal of France.
Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Viscount Melgund of Melgund Minto (1751-1814)
British governor general of India.
Gilbert Haugen (1859-1933)
American politician.

Religious Figures:
Saint Gilbert (Guilbert) of Sempringham (1083-1189)
Founder of the Gilbertine religious order.

Scientists:
Gilbert White (1720-1793)
English naturalist.
Sir Gilbert Blane (1749-1834)
British physician.
Gilbert N. Lewis (1875-1946)
American scientist.
Sir Gilbert Roberts (1899-1978)
British engineer.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.089 % named Gilbert
0.024 % named Gilberto
0.006 % named Gil

Popularity of Gilbert:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1910: 121st most popular.
1910-1920: 105th most popular.
1920-1930: 105th most popular.
1930-1940: 106th most popular.
1940-1950: 139th most popular.
1950-1960: 158th most popular.
1960-1970: 190th most popular.
1970-1980: 253rd most popular.
1980-1990: 280th most popular.
1990: 346th most popular.
1991: 356th most popular.
1992: 383rd most popular.
1993: 380th most popular.
1994: 444th most popular.
1995: 446th most popular.
1996: 464th most popular.
1997: 482nd most popular.
1998: 493rd most popular.
1999: 507th most popular.
2000: 524th most popular.
2001: 531st most popular.
2002: 589th most popular.
2003: 592nd most popular.

In France...
1900: 88th most popular.
1910: 46th most popular.
1920: 26th most popular.
1930: 20th most popular.
1940: 27th most popular.
1950: 25th most popular.
1960: 46th most popular.
1970: 143rd most popular.
1972: 199th most popular.
1980-2000: N/A

Popularity of Gil:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1950: N/A
1950-1960: 794th most popular.
1960-1970: 783rd most popular.
1970-2000: N/A

In France...
1900-1950: N/A
1951: 193rd most popular.
1960: 160th most popular.
1979: 198th most popular.
1970-2000: N/A