Bernie
Bernie is a boy's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave bear or strong as a bear, when derived from Bernard.
Origin and history
Bernie is a traditional Germanic name, traditionally used as a familiar nickname for Bernard or Bernice. In the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity in the early-to-mid 20th century and remains a recognizable vintage classic. Today, it is used less frequently as an official given name on birth certificates.
Popularity in the United States
9,225 babies in the United States have been named Bernie since 1880. It ranks #1257 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1844.
States where it is most popular
- CA (16.8 %)
- TX (10.9 %)
- NY (8.9 %)
- IL (6.5 %)
- OH (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 72 |
| 1890-1900 | 99 |
| 1900-1910 | 154 |
| 1910-1920 | 594 |
| 1920-1930 | 953 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,280 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,410 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,505 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,468 |
| 1970-1980 | 663 |
| 1980-1990 | 340 |
| 1990-2000 | 267 |
| 2000-2010 | 224 |
| 2010-2019 | 113 |
| 2020-2029 | 83 |
Famous people named Bernie
- Bernie Sanders: Politician, U.S. Senator
- Bernie Mac: Comedian, Actor
- Bernie Bernie: Businessman, Philanthropist
Fun facts
- Bernie originated as an informal pet name for Germanic names starting with the element 'Bern', such as Bernard.
- The name was most commonly given as an official standalone birth name in the United States during the 1920s through the 1950s.