The story behind Gilbert
From Old French Gislebert, from Proto-Germanic *Gīslaberhtaz, from *gīslaz (“pledge”) + *berhtaz (“bright, famous”).
Other language forms and explanations (1)
German entry
Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *Gīslaberhtaz.
Pronunciation
General-American: /ˈɡɪlbɚt/
Regional pronunciation variants
- German: /ˈɡɪlbɐt/
- German: /ʒɪlˈbɛːɐ̯/
Popularity
Gilbert ranked #1330 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Gilbert
Garrett
A medieval English and Irish form of the Germanic given names Gerard and Gerald. Of Old High German origin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- same syllable count
- similar length
Albert
From Old English Æþelbeorht, from Proto-West Germanic *Aþalaberht, a compound of *aþalaz (“noble”) + *berhtaz (“bright, famous”), or from Old French Albert, from Latin…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- same syllable count
- similar length
Earnest
A male given name from the Germanic languages, of occasional usage, variant of Ernest.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ernest
Borrowed in the 18th century from Ernst, a medieval royal name in Germany, from Old High German ernust (“vigor, strife”), only remotely related to modern German ernst or…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- same syllable count
- similar length
Harriet
Anglicized form of French Henriette, feminine form of Henri (“Henry”), popular in England in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- same syllable count
- similar length
Herbert
From Old French Herbert, from Frankish *Hariberht.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Gilbert
Adalbertas
Learned borrowing from Latin Adalbertus, from Proto-West Germanic *Aþalaberht, from Proto-Germanic *Aþalaberhtaz. Compare German Adalbert and Latvian Adalberts.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adela
Latinate form of French Adèle, short form of Germanic compound names beginning with Proto-Germanic *aþalaz (“noble”). Compare Old English æþele, English athel. Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adelaide
Borrowed from French Adélaïde, from Old High German Adalheid (from adal (“noble”) + heit (“nature, character”)), modern German Adelheid; doublet of Alice.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Gilbert
Abelard
From French Abélard, an extension of the Abel with an Germanic suffix -(h)ard. Possibly also regarded a variant of the German Eberhard "boar" + "hard", equivalent to English…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adela
Latinate form of French Adèle, short form of Germanic compound names beginning with Proto-Germanic *aþalaz (“noble”). Compare Old English æþele, English athel. Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adelaide
Borrowed from French Adélaïde, from Old High German Adalheid (from adal (“noble”) + heit (“nature, character”)), modern German Adelheid; doublet of Alice.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length