Gilbert Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance: Name: Gilbert – Meaning: bright pledge (or 'bright hostage') – Origin: Germanic, via Old French/Norman – Gender: used for both boys and girls – Pronunciation: GIL-bert

---

Gilbert is a Germanic name that came into English through Old French and Norman usage, carrying the meaning 'bright pledge' (sometimes rendered 'bright hostage'). It's a name with old, plainspoken roots rather than a modern invention. SSA records for Gilbert stretch all the way back to 1880, so it has a long, continuous history as a given name in the US.

Meaning & Origin of Gilbert

Meaning: Bright pledge (or 'bright hostage').

Origin: Germanic, via Old French/Norman.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Gilbert

Phonetic: GIL-bert   IPA: /ˈɡɪlbərt/

Popularity of Gilbert

Gilbert had its biggest moment in 1930, when 2,119 boys were named Gilbert and it ranked #90 nationally. By 2024 it had dropped to #1394, with just 134 babies given the name that year.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Make Gilbert Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Gilbert, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.

Names With a Similar Story

Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.

• Rita
• Jerome
• Shirley
• Marlow
• Norman
• Patricia

FAQ

What does the name Gilbert mean?

Bright pledge (or ‘bright hostage’). (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Gilbert)

How do you pronounce Gilbert?

Gilbert is pronounced GIL-bert (IPA: /ˈɡɪlbərt/).

Is Gilbert a popular name right now?

Gilbert peaked at #90 in 1930 and is ranked #1394 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

More Baby Name Inspiration

• Check any name’s popularity history
• Take the naming-style quiz
• Make art for a different name