Boy · 102nd of 7,545
Gilbert
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
130,672
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1930
Peak Popularity Year
2,138
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Gilbert stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Gilbert has its roots in Old German, originating from the elements meaning 'pledge' and 'bright.' It evolved from Giselberht in Old High German to its current form in Modern English. The name carries connotations of brightness and trustworthiness, with no direct biblical relevance. It gained prominence in England post-Norman Conquest and continues to be seen as a strong, traditional choice.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɡɪlbərt/
Origin
Old German
Etymology
The name Gilbert comes from the Old High German name 'Giselberht,' which is composed of the elements 'gisel,' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage,' and 'berht,' meaning 'bright' or 'famous.'
Meaning
Bright pledge
Language Evolution
Giselberht (Old High German), Gilbert (Middle English), Gilbert (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in England during the Norman Conquest, becoming common among the Norman aristocracy and later among the general populace.
Variants & Derivatives
Gil, Gilby, Gilly
Modern Popularity & Image
Gilbert is perceived as a traditional and strong name, often associated with intelligence and reliability. It remains relatively popular in some English-speaking countries.
Famous People
Gilbert Gottfried, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Gilbert Arenas
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,138 peak births in 1930
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in New Mexico
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 3 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 102nd of 7545 | 26,597 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 112th of 6773 | 31,898 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 160th of 7552 | 34,424 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 229th of 10718 | 16,056 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 341st of 16616 | 10,876 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 636th of 24088 | 5,602 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1088th of 23106 | 2,229 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2944th of 9107 | 169 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2918th of 9204 | 174 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 4373rd of 12526 | 153 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5999th of 19264 | 129 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 13939th of 27321 | 48 |