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Gilberte
Pronounced zheel-BAIRT /ʒilˈbɛrt/Low
Meaning: Gilberte is the French feminine form of Gilbert, built from the Germanic elements gisil, 'pledge or hostage,' and beraht, 'bright or famous,' giving 'bright pledge.' A traditional French girl's name, it pairs with the masculine Gilbert and carries the same noble, medieval meaning.Low
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Gilberte is the French feminine of Gilbert, from the Germanic gisil, 'pledge,' and beraht, 'bright,' so 'bright pledge.' Gilbert was a favorite Norman name, and its feminine Gilberte became a traditional French choice; it reached American records mainly with French and French-Canadian families in the early twentieth century.
The name was always scarce in America, given to only a dozen or so girls a year around its peak near 1921, and it faded quickly. A girl named Gilberte then would be a great-grandmother today.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Gilberte mean?
It is the French feminine of Gilbert, from Germanic roots meaning 'bright pledge.'
How do you pronounce Gilberte?
It is said zheel-BAIRT /ʒilˈbɛrt/, two syllables stressed on the second.
Is Gilberte a boy or girl name?
Gilberte is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Gilberte?
It has always been rare in the United States, most visible in the early nineteen-twenties and scarce ever since.