Bernardine
Bernardine is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave bear or strong as a bear.
Origin and history
Bernardine is a feminine name of Old German origin, derived as a French feminine diminutive of Bernard. It combines roots meaning 'bear' and 'brave' or 'hardy'. Though popular in the early-to-mid 20th century in the United States, it is rarely given to newborns today.
Popularity in the United States
3,128 babies in the United States have been named Bernardine since 1880. It ranks #3178 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- PA (41.8 %)
- IL (16.5 %)
- NY (13.4 %)
- WI (5.9 %)
- MI (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 74 |
| 1900-1910 | 128 |
| 1910-1920 | 475 |
| 1920-1930 | 712 |
| 1930-1940 | 622 |
| 1940-1950 | 543 |
| 1950-1960 | 333 |
| 1960-1970 | 187 |
| 1970-1980 | 49 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Bernardine
- Bernardine Dohrn: Activist, Lawyer
- Bernardine Evaristo: Author, Academic
Nicknames
Bernie, Dena, Birdie
Fun facts
- It derives from the Old High German name Bernhard, blending 'bero' (bear) and 'hart' (brave or strong).
- The name experienced its peak popularity in the United States during the 1920s through the 1940s.