Gilberta

Gilberta is the feminine form of the Germanic name Gilbert. The name is derived from the Old High German elements 'gisil' meaning 'pledge' or 'hostage' and 'beraht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous'. It was brought to England by the Normans and was relatively common in the Middle Ages, though the feminine form Gilberta has always been less frequent than its male counterpart.

While Gilbert remained a fairly popular name for boys, Gilberta saw limited use and has largely fallen out of favor. Its usage is now quite rare, often being seen as an old-fashioned or historical name. The name's strong Germanic roots connect it to a rich history of noble and warrior names.