I know most of you won't like this name, but that doesn't matter. What I need to know is...

[allhailtheaubergine]

... are there any reasons I can't use it?

Any negative references or unfortunate initial sequence that I didn't notice. That sort of thing.

The name is Gilbert.

Middle names probably Merle Thomas (though the Thomas is undecided).

Surname - short and fairly usual.

greenwic mean time is the only thing i can think of :) probably not too good a topic for teasing

Actually I like it! (1st time I've ever been able to say that to one if these posts)
I knew a little boy called gil which was probably short for gilbert.
If it was us (rugby fanatics) everyone would assume he was named after the rugby ball ( they are made by Gilbert and all have the name on, more visible now with the world cup) that's the only negative I can think of, oh and silly gilly??

Love the name Gilbert, can't think of anything negative. Gilbert Grape? Nothing else.

I like Gilbert too, Gil as a nn especially.

There's nothing wrong with the name Gilbert or the initials GMT.
Is it a family name or just one you like?

i love it

I like Gil, though prefer it as a short form of Ghillie or Gillespie.

However, I think the teasing may come from it being a wee bit unusual and old mannish. However, it is not the worst.

MT might be funny if your surname is anything that could be empty. (Bottle, Cann, etc) but who notices middle initials much anyway?

It rhymes with Dilbert, so he might one day, possibly, be called Gilbert the Dilbert.

I can rip most names apart, but that's the worst I could come up with.

I love it

I know a Gilbert - who has the nn Gilbie. Gil is really cool.

But isn't Merle a girl's name?

There's no way I can judge after realising I'd given my ds the initials brc, need to say it out loud a few times to get it

Oh and meant to say that Gil will always be Gil from csi to me, no bad thing!

You're a contrary lot. If I'd said "I LOVE the name Gilbert, what do you think?" I know I'd have a thread full of "ooh no, it's a terrible name"

Anyway, you're right it is a fab name and I love it. Glad no one has come up with any reason not to use it. Gilbert it is then.

Unless it's a girl...

... I still like Persimmon...

Love the name Gilbert, especially the nickname Gil (like one of the fish in Finding Nemo - not a bad association though). Can't think of anything bad tbh.

Only problem I can see is what dearheart says about Merle being a girl's name.

Merle means Blackbird and is a boys name as far as I know... could also be a girls name, not sure.

Another one who loves the name Gilbert.

I don't think it also being a girls name would put us off.

Here we are - a boys name also used for girls.

It will be shortened to Gil or Bert

I know a 1 year old Gilbert. He is known as Bertie. Good name.

I love Gilbert - love the nn Gil too.
I think of Merle as a girls name though. I used to work with one. But its a mn, and unusual, so i dont think it matters. I like Merle, but Thomas is very dull.

Well it's an awful name,but as that doesn't count then I can't think of many negative connotations.

I think it's fine. I associate it with rugby balls (good ones!).

Gilbert Blythe from Ann of Green Gables! I had such a crush on him!

But Merle is most definitely a girl's name.