Gilbert
How to say it: GIL-bert · /ˈɡɪlbərt/
From Old French Gilebert, from Germanic Gisilbert composed of 'gisel' (pledge) and 'beraht' (bright, famous).
Gilbert was the 1,153rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 145 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1930s, its births are down about 31% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,225 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #1,153 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 145 |
| Share of births | 1 in 22,864 |
| Peak decade | 1930s |
| Change over 10 years | −31% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,225 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once prominent in the 1930s, Gilbert has faded far from that standing. Getting rarer still, it is projected to drift lower.
What goes with it
Sturdy and clipped, Gilbert sounds crisp and old fashioned. Albert belongs to the same stylistic set and Gil is the usual short form.
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Gilbert is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish, Swedish.
Famous people named Gilbert
- Gilbert Gottfried (1955–2022)American stand-up comedian
- Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834)French general and politician
- Gilbert N. Lewis (1875–1946)American physical chemist
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Hurricane Gilbert 1988, retired name
Keep exploring
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