Gilberte is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the Germanic name "Sylbert," which is composed of the elements "silb" meaning "light" and "hart" meaning "strong." Thus, Gilberte means "bright strong."
The name Gilberte first gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages, when it was often used as a feminine form of the masculine name Gilbert. However, over time, it has become established as an independent feminine name.
Historically, Gilberte has been used by several notable figures throughout history. For example, Gilberte de Courcillon was a French actress who lived in the 17th century and was known for her beauty and talent. Additionally, the French writer Honoré de Balzac featured a character named Gilberte in his novel "Père Goriot."
Today, Gilberte remains a relatively uncommon name, but it is still used in some parts of France and other Francophone countries. It may be considered a vintage or traditional name, as it has been in use for centuries but has not experienced a significant resurgence in popularity like some other historical names.
Overall, Gilberte is a unique and elegant feminine given name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its association with light and strength makes it a compelling choice for parents looking for a distinctive name with a strong meaning.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Gilberte was relatively popular in the United States during the early to mid-20th century, with a peak in popularity between 1916 and 1926.
During this period, there were consistently around 10 to 14 births per year for babies named Gilberte. The highest number of births occurred in 1917 and 1926, with 14 births each year.
However, the popularity of the name Gilberte started to decline after the late 1920s. Between 1930 and 1934, there were only between 5 to 10 births per year for babies named Gilberte.
Overall, based on these statistics, it can be concluded that Gilberte was a name that had its peak popularity in the early to mid-20th century but has since become less common.