Bernita
Bernita is a girl's name of Germanic origin.
Meaning
Brave bear or strong as a bear.
Origin and history
Bernita is a feminine name of Germanic origin, derived as a diminutive or elaboration of Bernice or Bernard. It carries the traditional meaning of 'brave bear' or 'strong, brave bear'. Popularity peaked in the early to mid-20th century in the United States, but the name is now rarely given to newborns.
Popularity in the United States
4,630 babies in the United States have been named Bernita since 1880. It ranks #2566 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- IL (19.8 %)
- IA (12.8 %)
- KS (11.8 %)
- MI (7.4 %)
- OH (6.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 28 |
| 1910-1920 | 452 |
| 1920-1930 | 754 |
| 1930-1940 | 685 |
| 1940-1950 | 585 |
| 1950-1960 | 871 |
| 1960-1970 | 700 |
| 1970-1980 | 322 |
| 1980-1990 | 173 |
| 1990-2000 | 55 |
| 2000-2010 | 5 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Nicknames
Bernie, Nita, Bee
Fun facts
- Bernita was created by adding the diminutive suffix '-ita' to roots related to Bernard or Bernice.
- The name was most frequently chosen for American girls between the 1920s and 1950s.