Gilbert
From Old French Gislebert, from Proto-Germanic *Gīslaberhtaz, from *gīslaz (“pledge”) + *berhtaz (“bright, famous”).
Every Gilbert since 1880 — 130,821 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Gilbert
Gilbert is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,330 in 2025 with 145 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 130,821 American babies have been named Gilbert. Its peak came in 1930, when 2,138 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Gilbert stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Gilbert year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 145 | #1,330 |
| 2024 | — | — | 135 | #1,389 |
| 2023 | — | — | 175 | #1,174 |
| 2022 | — | — | 162 | #1,218 |
| 2021 | — | — | 159 | #1,216 |
| 2020 | — | — | 164 | #1,175 |
| 2019 | — | — | 175 | #1,121 |
| 2018 | — | — | 166 | #1,154 |
| 2017 | — | — | 196 | #1,026 |
| 2016 | — | — | 215 | #958 |
| 2015 | — | — | 211 | #980 |
| 2014 | — | — | 241 | #895 |
| 2013 | — | — | 234 | #891 |
| 2012 | — | — | 201 | #991 |
| 2011 | — | — | 242 | #869 |
| 2010 | — | — | 258 | #829 |
| 2009 | — | — | 278 | #802 |
| 2008 | — | — | 316 | #731 |
| 2007 | — | — | 347 | #684 |
| 2006 | — | — | 347 | #662 |
| 2005 | — | — | 378 | #599 |
| 2004 | — | — | 409 | #560 |
| 2003 | — | — | 361 | #597 |
| 2002 | — | — | 351 | #594 |
| 2001 | — | — | 408 | #536 |
| 2000 | — | — | 419 | #527 |
| 1995 | — | — | 502 | #453 |
| 1990 | 5 | #13,717 | 725 | #341 |
| 1985 | 12 | #5,777 | 687 | #297 |
| 1980 | 9 | #6,972 | 832 | #262 |
| 1975 | 6 | #8,334 | 879 | #235 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,367 | 1,170 | #214 |
| 1965 | 7 | #5,468 | 1,347 | #189 |
| 1960 | 12 | #3,774 | 1,788 | #175 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,431 | 1,862 | #154 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4,464 | 1,881 | #144 |
| 1945 | 9 | #3,227 | 1,625 | #130 |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,043 | 1,531 | #124 |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,627 | 1,683 | #111 |
| 1930 | 19 | #1,897 | 2,119 | #90 |
| 1925 | 10 | #3,203 | 1,656 | #105 |
| 1920 | 9 | #3,438 | 1,763 | #97 |
| 1915 | 11 | #2,600 | 1,452 | #100 |
| 1910 | — | — | 274 | #116 |
| 1905 | — | — | 183 | #117 |
| 1900 | — | — | 145 | #146 |
| 1895 | — | — | 132 | #128 |
| 1890 | — | — | 116 | #125 |
| 1885 | — | — | 77 | #172 |
| 1880 | — | — | 101 | #134 |
Famous people named Gilbert
- Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette Military personnel · 1757–1834
- Gilbert N. Lewis Chemist · 1875–1946
- Gilbert Bécaud Singer · 1927–2001
- Gilbert Ryle Philosopher · 1900–1976
- Gilbert Horal Politician · 1200–1200
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gilbert mean?
From Old French Gislebert, from Proto-Germanic *Gīslaberhtaz, from *gīslaz (“pledge”) + *berhtaz (“bright, famous”).
How popular is the name Gilbert in 2025?
Gilbert ranked #1,330 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 145 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Gilbert?
130,821 babies have been named Gilbert in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Gilbert most popular?
Gilbert peaked in 1930, when 2,138 newborns received the name.
Is Gilbert a boy or girl name?
Gilbert is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Gilbert rising or falling?
Gilbert is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Gilbert?
Well-known people named Gilbert include Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (military personnel), Gilbert N. Lewis (chemist), Gilbert Bécaud (singer).