Delbert is a unique and distinctive male given name that has its roots in English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Æðelbeorht, which was composed of two elements: æðel meaning "noble" and beorht meaning "bright". Thus, the name Delbert means "noble and bright."
The name Æðelbeorht was quite popular during the Middle Ages in England, but its popularity waned over time. The modern form of the name, Delbert, began to appear in the United States in the late 19th century, with its peak popularity being around the early-to-mid 20th century.
There are a few notable individuals who have borne the name Delbert throughout history:
* Delbert Mann was an American film director who won an Academy Award for Best Director for his film "Marty" in 1955.
* Delbert McClinton is an American singer-songwriter and harmonica player who has been active since the 1960s. He is known for hits like "Givin' Up" and "Sending Me Angels."
* Delbert Richardson was a former NFL player who played as a defensive end in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
While the name Delbert may not be as popular today as it once was, it still carries a certain charm and uniqueness that sets it apart from more common names. Its meaning of "noble and bright" makes it an attractive choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.
The name Delbert experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. In its early years, from 1880 to 1900, it maintained a steady pace with around 20-50 births per year. However, starting from 1902, there was a marked increase, peaking at 369 births in 1913 and reaching an all-time high of 1038 births in 1932.
The name's popularity then began to decline, dropping below 100 births per year by the late 1950s. This downward trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with fewer than 400 births annually recorded during this period. The name experienced another sharp decline in the late 1980s, with less than 100 births per year from 1983 onwards.
From the 1990s until 2023, Delbert has remained quite uncommon, with fewer than 50 births recorded each year. The most recent data shows that only 16 births were registered in 2022 and 2023 combined, suggesting that this name is now extremely rare. In total, over the span of 143 years, there have been 46,899 births with the name Delbert.