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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Gilbert

37 replies

Tassiemouse · 21/05/2018 10:25

We have a baby boy on the way and really like the name Gilbert, however upon googling we found there were some negative connections here in the U.K. with the name. Apparently a 'green gilbert' it is slang for spitting snot that started in the '50's and there was a snotty green '80's alien children's T.V. character called Gilbert. We'd not heard of either, but just wondering how many people on here actually have? Is it likely to be widespread knowledge and would a little Gilbert be forever tagged with these yucky connections?

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Kate123cl · 21/05/2018 12:15

I'm not too sure! It was definitely used among the older generation more so. It was quite a common surname, too! Smile

Original poster
Tassiemouse · 21/05/2018 12:12

@Kate123cl Ah thanks...Good to know. I wonder if it's a regional thing?

OP posts:
PatriarchyPersonified · 21/05/2018 12:09

If you call a boy Gilbert, he is going to have a hard time at school.

I'd choose something more mainstream.

Original poster
Tassiemouse · 21/05/2018 12:07

@Shockers Haha Oh misread that! Don't know this one, but he looks very crush worthy! 😀

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Shockers · 21/05/2018 11:58

I meant this one Tassie. I had a bit of an innocent crush on him as a youngster Grin.

Gilbert
Kate123cl · 21/05/2018 11:56

I have heard of green Gilbert and it was always quite commonly used around the area I lived in.

CamHowe · 21/05/2018 11:51

You kinda answered your own question with EIGHTIES TV character.

HeyDolly · 21/05/2018 11:49

I like Gil & Bertie but no so keen on Gilbert. However, I’d never associate it with snot. If asked, my first thought would be Gilbert Grape (as in the Johnny Depp film ‘what’s eating Gilbert grape) or Gilbert & Sullivan.

I like Sullivan as a name though Grin

If you like it, use it. It doesn’t have negative snotty connotations in my mind :)

Original poster
Tassiemouse · 21/05/2018 11:46

@Shockers Great - Me too! A big fan of 'Anne of Green Gables' growing up and also like G&S. It's also a family name which is nice. Glad you haven't heard of either @MammieBear. True - hopefully not something his age group would know. It's more we wondered if the 'green gilbert' expression had been passed down or older people couldn't say his name without thinking of the above! @notacooldad I think it's an unusual name in most places. Was the reason the workers thought it funny, because of any of the above lovely connections or simply because its unusual? Yes we too thought Gil would be a good nickname as a teen/adult and Bertie cute for a little one. We like it and don't want a very usual name, but on the other hand we don't want to give the poor kid something people find just too unusual as he has to be the one to go through life with it after all!

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notacooldad · 21/05/2018 11:27

Gilbert is a very unusual name in our area. We had a temporary worker last year with that name. He wasn't local and for some reason no one could say his full name with straight face.
He preferred to be called Gill, which people semed to cope with better!

Shockers · 21/05/2018 11:22

Reminds me of the fictional Gilbert Blythe, and Gilbert O’Sullivan. I love them both so it’s a thumbs up from me!

MammieBear · 21/05/2018 11:19

Never heard of either of those, will most definitely be before classmates time so wouldn't worry.