Gilbert
Gilbert comes from the Germanic "gisil" (pledge, hostage) and "beraht" (bright) — meaning "bright pledge." Gilbert was moderately popular in early 20th-century America, peaking at #124 in 1916. Gilbert (the playwright W.S. Gilbert, 1836-1911, who with composer Arthur Sullivan wrote the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas) gave the name theatrical weight. The nickname Gil (as in Gil Scott-Heron) lightens it considerably. Gilbert is a male name of Germanic origin that means "Bright pledge". Vintage, literary, and a little theatrical. The name sounds friendly. Gilberts tend to be thoughtful. US peaked #124 in 1916. Now outside top 1000. Well-known people named Gilbert include W.S. Gilbert (playwright), Gilbert (Germanic name), Gilbert (fictional, various). Common variations and related forms of Gilbert include Gilberto (Italian/Spanish), Giselbert (older form), Gil (short form), Bert (nickname).