Bernhard
Bernhard is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave bear or strong as a bear.
Origin and history
Bernhard is a traditional Germanic name composed of elements meaning 'bear' and 'brave' or 'hardy'. It has a long history in German-speaking regions of Europe and was brought to the United States primarily by European immigrants. While historically well-established, it is currently a rare given name in modern U.S. usage.
Popularity in the United States
1,671 babies in the United States have been named Bernhard since 1880. It ranks #3106 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1921.
States where it is most popular
- NY (66.2 %)
- MN (12.6 %)
- WI (7.8 %)
- CA (5.6 %)
- TX (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 51 |
| 1890-1900 | 53 |
| 1900-1910 | 27 |
| 1910-1920 | 286 |
| 1920-1930 | 314 |
| 1930-1940 | 227 |
| 1940-1950 | 161 |
| 1950-1960 | 179 |
| 1960-1970 | 188 |
| 1970-1980 | 72 |
| 1980-1990 | 38 |
| 1990-2000 | 39 |
| 2000-2010 | 15 |
| 2010-2019 | 15 |
| 2020-2029 | 6 |
Famous people named Bernhard
- Bernhard Riemann: Mathematician
- Bernhard Langer: Professional Golfer
Nicknames
Bernie, Bern
Fun facts
- The name combines the Old High German elements 'bern' (bear) and 'hart' (brave, strong, hardy).
- In English-speaking countries, Bernard is the more dominant spelling, while Bernhard remains common in German-speaking Europe.