Meaning: Its source is Adalbrecht, an Ancient Germanic name meaning "Exalted, shining with fame."

Popularity: The name Elbert ranked 454th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: When Britain's Queen Victoria married the Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1840, she brought his name to the attention of the English-speaking world. Prince Albert proceeded to load the name with positive associations, displaying a lively intelligence and a sincere interest in the welfare of his adopted people.

In the 20th century, a prince of a different order put his stamp upon the name. Physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955) not only had an enormous impact on science, but also used his fame and the respect accorded to his great intellect to advance many humanitarian concerns.