Gilbert (given name)

Gilbert
Stained glass of Gilbert de Moravia
Pronunciation/ˈɡɪlbɜːrt/
French: [ʒil.bɛʁ]
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameNorman-French
Meaninggisel + beraht
Other names
Related namesGilberto, Gilberte, Gil

Gilbert is a given name of Norman-French origin,[1] itself from Germanic Gisilberht or Gisalberht.[2][3] 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".[4][5] 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- [gil] reflects the Northern Norman one [gil], as opposed to Old French [dʒil] > French [ʒil] and explains the alternative spelling Guilbert with Guil- [gil].

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 diminutives Gil, Gillie and Bert eventually became popular as a standalone given name or nickname. Gilberte is the feminized version of the name. Gilbert, with variant spellings, is also used as a surname (see Gilbert (surname)).

  1. ^ "Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Gilbert". Retrieved 2013-05-12.
  2. ^ Albert Dauzat, Noms et prénoms de France, Librairie Larousse 1980, édition revue et commentée par Marie-Thérèse Morlet. p. 292a.
  3. ^ Etymology of "Gilbert"
  4. ^ DAUZAT 292a.
  5. ^ Etymology of "Gisilberht"