Bernard

Bernard: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “brave bear”
Origin: Germanic
Say it: ber-NARD · 2 syllables
Used for: Boys

From Germanic Bernhard, from bern 'bear' and hard 'brave, hardy'. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Bernard of Menthon helped spread the name.

French names English names German names Names meaning animal Names meaning strength Names meaning brave Classic names Vintage names International names

How popular is Bernard?

202444.0 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Bernard in 2024147

2024 rank#1,317 boys

Peak year1922

Total US babies since 1880200,931

Bernard is steady now but far below its 1922 peak.

Names like Bernard

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Bernadettebrave as a bear · Germanic
Bernardobrave bear · Germanic
Bernadinebrave as a bear · Germanic
Williamresolute protector · Germanic
Henryhome ruler · Germanic
Charlesfree man · Germanic
Milessoldier or merciful · Germanic
Robertbright fame · Germanic

Bernard questions

What does the name Bernard mean?

Bernard means "brave bear". It comes from Germanic. From Germanic Bernhard, from bern 'bear' and hard 'brave, hardy'. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Bernard of Menthon helped spread the name.

Is Bernard a boy or girl name?

Bernard is mainly a boy's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Bernard?

147 US babies were named Bernard in 2024. Its peak year was 1922.

How do you pronounce Bernard?

Bernard is usually pronounced ber-NARD.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.