I have been considering a few different names for this little one but the one that I can’t seem to shake is [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m].
I’m a little worried though, that this name is one that mightn’t be taken seriously, especially in the adolescent years. I can picture it on a baby and a little boy and although there’s the charming [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] [name_f]Blythe[/name_f] association as well as the young & handsome [name_m]Johnny[/name_m] Depp in What’s Eating [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] Grape?, I just don’t know if this name will be a good fit for an adult or if it may be seen as completely dorky and out of date? The last thing I’d want is for our son to be ashamed of his name and embarrassed to use it.
What do you all think? Is [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] ready for a comeback? [name_m]Will[/name_m] it be largely accepted amongst all the little [name_m]Alberts[/name_m], Walters and Alfreds?
Or does [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] just scream nerdy and off putting to you? This is seriously keeping me up at night. Lol. I keep googling EVERYTHING [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] related until the early hours of the morning so I may have gone completely mad
Has anyone met a young [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] before who was below the age of 80?!!?? And did they carry their name well and with pride?
Really looking forward to hearing some thoughts as this name is a genuine contender and I’d really love to use it without worrying that I may be making the wrong choice
Thank you so much for the vote of confidence! I’m glad you find it handsome
I think that because my husband isn’t as keen on [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m], it’s making me very doubtful about how family, friends and others (particularly non name nerds who aren’t as exposed to as many names as us Berries) will receive this name if we were to announce our son as this
I think [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] is so nice. I think [name_m]Gil[/name_m] or even [name_m]Bear[/name_m] would be usable nicknames for the teen years if the name becomes too cumbersome for a while, but I honestly think it is a great name and hope your boy would be happy to wear it.
Having a husband not 100% on board would give me pause if you’re not in love with it enough to be its undying advocate. But I hope this boosts your confidence so that you’re able to convert your partner to the [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] cause.
Thank you for your kind words and for your support of [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] I too love [name_m]Gil[/name_m] I hadn’t thought of [name_m]Bear[/name_m] and think that it’s the sweetest nickname for [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]!!
Yes - if only I could get my husband to like this name a little more and then I would feel much more confident about using it.
On a side note, I just looked at your signature and noticed that you’re an Aquarian, like me. You also have chosen the most beautiful names for your two sons
Thank you for reaching out. I really appreciate it
I don’t see why it wouldn’t be taken seriously. It is very strong and handsome choice, and I really don’t think anyone would find it too dorky or dated for a man – not at all! I definitely think this name is ready for a comeback. If [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Arthur[/name_m], and Co. are just now back in style, you’re already ahead of the game with [name_m]Edmund[/name_m], and [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] deserves to follow suit! I’d use it in a heartbeat.
I feel really reluctant to be honest because I know how hard it can be to decide on a name for a baby and how stressful it can be. Just keep in mind that it’s entirely subjective and just because I see Gilbert this way it doesn’t mean I’m right.
In terms of your concerns about Gilbert being “dorky and out of date”, that is now how I see it. But keep in mind I haven’t read The Tenants of Wildfell Hall or Anne of Green Gables (terrible considering I’m an English teacher!) and perhaps if I did I’d feel differently. I do love What’s Eating Gilbert Grape though but it still never appealed to me, even when worn by Johnny Depp I think my other issue is the intuitive nickname for it - Gil. The sound of it just doesn’t appeal to me. Bertie is quite sweet though and entirely plausible as a nickname for Gilbert.
In saying all of this, I don’t see why a Gilbert wouldn’t be taken seriously at all: it’s a perfectly respectable name that would easily fit an adult. I’m really sorry, I don’t want to turn you off it, I just thought I’d throw my opinion into the mix as I know I’d want to hear all sorts of opinions if I was trying to ascertain if I name would fit my child well for life.
Thank you sincerely You’ve always been so supportive in all of my posts.
After reading your response it’s made me realise how much I love the name [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] and it makes me wonder why I’be been feeling hesitant about choosing it. If only this naming choice was mine only! Hehe.
Thank you again for backing the humble [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m], and for your approval of [name_m]Edmund[/name_m] too
I think [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] is a wonderful choice! I see no reason why the name wouldn’t be taken seriously. I think it fits right in with names like [name_m]Albert[/name_m] and [name_m]Robert[/name_m], and the two associations you brought up are great ones (especially [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] Grape!)
I also love the nickname [name_m]Gil[/name_m]. I think it’s handsome and so cool. I unfortunately cannot say whether or not your son will end up liking his name, but [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] has many nickname options he could use. He could also choose to go by his middle someday.
I have never personally met a [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] or a [name_m]Gil[/name_m], but I could picture both on a child, a teenager, and a grown man. I think the name ages nicely, which is great!
I know I’d love to meet one, too!
If you really love the name, you should use it. I feel like anyone in your like (family, friends, etc) would come around to the idea of [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] once they started associating it with your little one!
Thank you so much Very refreshing to hear so many positive things said about a name that can attract so much negativity (I’m referring to my late night Googling )
I completely agree with you that those who know us would warm to the name once he’s here and once he’s introduced as this. I guess they’d have no other choice! I think, however, that if I was to tell people that [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] might very likely be the name we’re going to choose that there would be some shocked and disapproving friends as well as family members. I’ve always been a firm believer of sharing a baby’s name with those we know once the baby is here and not beforehand!
I’ll have to keep reading your positive words every time I start to doubt myself. I really hope we do end up being ‘brave’ and going with this name
One of my favorite stories of all time is about a young [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] (young adult, I should clarify) who came over on the Mayflower, I think, and the life he made for himself. He started out a very rough-and-tumble sort of guy, always getting in trouble and not really taking right path, but he ends up having his life transformed and honestly becomes a really wonderful guy, and the father of this whole crazy family dynasty whose stories the author pens throughout [name_u]America[/name_u]’s history. I think [name_u]Bertie[/name_u] is seriously so cute, but [name_m]Gil[/name_m] is great for a teenager or adult, too. I’d be seriously so happy to meet a [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]; I honestly don’t see the nerdy aspect at all. It’s a great name, and I would love to see it get more use!
(I have to echo @hyacinthbucket - [name_m]Bear[/name_m] is a seriously cute nn! I have it on my own list as a nn for [name_m]Bartholomew[/name_m], but it works just as well for [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]!)
Please don’t be sorry! I really appreciate your thoughts and can see where you’re coming from. You are absolutely entitled to feel the way you do about ANY name. This is what these forums are about and I’m so grateful to be able to get a sense of how others perceive this name
I’d really love to read this story you’ve talked about. It sounds like the protagonist, [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m], is a very likeable, decent and down to earth chap with lots of attractive qualities. Maybe I could get my husband to read it. Lol
I so enjoyed reading about your pleasant association with the name so thank you for sharing this story!
I think [name_m]Gil[/name_m] sounds very fresh and current.
Gilbert full-on to me definitely has a nerd-factor, but really, nowadays, the name doesn’t make the person. The person makes the name, and some of the best people out there have names that have transformed for me by the wearer.
(I can imagine [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] with brothers [name_u]Spencer[/name_u] and [name_u]Lyle[/name_u]!)
My pleasure! The book is called “The Honorable Imposter”, by [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] [name_u]Winslow[/name_u]. I read it as a teenager, and even now it still sticks with me–he was a really great character!
I do feel like a boy called [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] would be teased if he went to school with me (I’m 15) unfortunately. I think it’d work better as a middle name.
Could I please just ask what It is about the name [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] that you think would cause teasing? Is it that it’s rarely heard? Or perhaps the sounds? Or is there a negative cultural reference that I’m unaware of?
I think it’s a combination of being associated with older people and the -bert ending (an [name_m]Albert[/name_m] or even an [name_m]Alfred[/name_m] would probably experience similar if they didn’t use [name_m]Albie[/name_m]/Alfie). I think in about 10 years [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m] might be more usable but at the moment I’m not sure it’s the best choice.
I too love [name_m]Gil[/name_m] 
I hadn’t thought of [name_m]Bear[/name_m] and think that it’s the sweetest nickname for [name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]!!
I think my other issue is the intuitive nickname for it - Gil. The sound of it just doesn’t appeal to me. Bertie is quite sweet though and entirely plausible as a nickname for Gilbert.
You’ve always been so supportive in all of my posts.
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