Bernard
Bernard is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave bear or strong as a bear.
Origin and history
Bernard is a classic male name of Germanic origin, derived from elements meaning bear and brave. It was introduced to England by the Normans and became widespread throughout Western Europe. While historically a top-100 choice in the United States during the early 20th century, its contemporary usage has become much more uncommon.
Popularity in the United States
200,087 babies in the United States have been named Bernard since 1880. It ranks #185 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1162.
States where it is most popular
- NY (15.8 %)
- PA (10.9 %)
- IL (6.8 %)
- MI (5.3 %)
- OH (5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,616 |
| 1890-1900 | 2,315 |
| 1900-1910 | 3,296 |
| 1910-1920 | 25,628 |
| 1920-1930 | 42,408 |
| 1930-1940 | 30,545 |
| 1940-1950 | 26,446 |
| 1950-1960 | 25,887 |
| 1960-1970 | 17,475 |
| 1970-1980 | 9,100 |
| 1980-1990 | 6,507 |
| 1990-2000 | 4,159 |
| 2000-2010 | 2,252 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,608 |
| 2020-2029 | 845 |
Famous people named Bernard
- Bernard Shaw: Playwright, Critic
- Bernard Sanders: Politician, Senator
- Bernard Hopkins: Boxer
Nicknames
Bernie, Bern, Barney
Fun facts
- The name was brought to Great Britain by the Normans, replacing the earlier Old English cognate Beornheard.
- The Saint Bernard dog breed was named after Saint Bernard of Menthon, who established a famous Alpine hospice.