male proper name, from O.Fr. Guillebert (from O.H.G. Williberht, lit. "a bright will") or O.Fr. Gilebert, from Gisilbert, lit. "a bright pledge," from O.H.G. gisil "pledge," a Celtic loan-word (cf. O.Ir. giall "pledge") + beorht "bright." It was the common name for a male cat (especially in short form Gib) from c.1450 (see Tom).