Gilson Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GIL-sun //ˈɡɪl.sən//
Origin: English; Hebrew
Meaning: English: son of Gil; Hebrew: joyful
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Gilson has its roots in Old French and is derived from the given name "Gil" or "Gille," which itself originates from the Old Breton name "Gildas." The Old Breton name is composed of the elements "gild," meaning "sacred," and "as," which can denote a diminutive or affectionate form. The transition into English occurred through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were adopted into the English language, often with slight modifications in spelling and pronunciation.
Historically, the name Gilson can be traced back to the medieval period, where it was used as a surname in England. Notable figures bearing the name include Gilson of the 12th century, who was a prominent cleric, and various individuals in the 13th and 14th centuries who contributed to ecclesiastical and scholarly pursuits.
The name appears in various historical records, including land grants and legal documents, reflecting its use among the gentry and clergy during the Middle Ages. Culturally, the name Gilson carries connotations of nobility and piety, often associated with the qualities of wisdom and leadership.
The name has been linked to various saints and religious figures, particularly Saint Gildas, a 6th-century monk and historian known for his writings on the early Christian church in Britain. This connection to religious heritage has contributed to the name's endurance over the centuries, as it embodies values of faith and scholarship.
The diminutive form "Gil" has also been historically relevant, serving as a familiar or affectionate variant of the name.
Famous people named Gilson
In this section, you will find notable people named Gilson. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gilson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Gilson who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Gilson Lavis is a musician best known for being the drummer of Squeeze and for his work with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
Gilson de Souza is a Brazilian footballer best known for playing as a midfielder for various clubs in Brazil.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gilson, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gilson. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Gilson was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Gilson has ranked as high as #883 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Gilson has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Gilson is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gilson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Gilson
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gilson.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 5 |
| 1979 | 6 |
| 1957 | 5 |
| 1931 | 7 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1921 | 5 |
| 1920 | 7 |
| 1916 | 6 |