Gilbert (given name)
Gilbert is a given name of Norman-French origin, itself from Germanic "Gisilberht" or "Gisalberht". Original spellings included "Gislebert", "Guilbert" and "Gilebert". The first element, "Gil-", comes from Germanic "gīsil", meaning "shaft of an arrow" or "gisal" "pledge, hostage", while the second element, "-bert" comes from Germanic "-behrt", short form of "beraht", meaning "bright" or "famous". The name spread in France and was introduced to England by the Normans, where it was popular during the Middle Ages. That is the reason the pronunciation "Gil-" reflects the Northern Norman one , as opposed to Old French > French and  explains the alternative spelling "Guilbert" with "Guil-" . Variant spellings have evolved throughout Europe, including the Iberian/Italian version "Gilberto" and, as was the custom across Europe, given a Latin language version "Gilbertus", to be used alongside a person's native variant. The diminutive, "Gil", eventually became popular as a standalone given name or nickname. "Gilbert", with variant spellings, is also used as a surname (see Gilbert (surname)). Popularity. In England and Wales, Gilbert ranked 64th in popularity in 1904, 72nd in 1914 and 95th in 1924. By 1934 it had dropped out of the Top 100. Gilbert (given name) Gilbert