Bernard
Bernard is a boys' name of German origin meaning “brave bear.” A Germanic name composed of 'bern' (bear) and 'hard' (brave, strong).
Torn between Bernard and another name? Ask family and friends to vote
how do you pronounce Bernard?
BER-nard
where does the name Bernard come from?
From the Germanic Bernardus, combining bero, bear, and hart, hard or strong. Bernard, or Bernhard, is a West Germanic and French masculine given name also used as a surname.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century) was one of the most influential figures of the medieval Church, and Saint Bernard of Menthon gave his name to both the Alpine pass and the Saint Bernard breed of rescue dog.
how popular is this name?
Bernard has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 129 years since 1880. It peaked at #45 in 1919, and ranked #944 in 2008.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2008 | #944 |
| 2007 | #934 |
| 2006 | #958 |
| 2005 | #832 |
| 2004 | #764 |
| 2003 | #791 |
| 2002 | #762 |
| 2001 | #689 |
| 2000 | #655 |
| 1999 | #649 |
| 1990 | #430 |
| 1980 | #274 |
| 1970 | #210 |
| 1960 | #152 |
| 1950 | #110 |
| 1940 | #82 |
| 1930 | #52 |
| 1920 | #46 |
| 1919 | #45 |
| 1910 | #62 |
| 1900 | #86 |
| 1890 | #98 |
| 1880 | #97 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Bernard fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Bernard?
- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
- Bernard Shaw (playwright, known as George Bernard Shaw)
- Bernard Buffet (painter)
the history of Bernard
The name was made popular by medieval European saints.
what are the nicknames and variants of Bernard?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Bernard?
what names go well with Bernard?
Sibling names that share Bernard's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Bernard
What does the name Bernard mean?
Bernard means “brave bear”.
What is the origin of the name Bernard?
Bernard comes from the German naming tradition. Related forms include Bernhard and Bernardo.
How popular is the name Bernard?
Bernard ranked #944 in the US in 2008, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1919, at #45, and it has spent 129 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Bernard a boy or girl name?
Bernard is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Bernard?
Bernard is pronounced BER-nard, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
love Bernard? get 10 more names curated for your family.
Popularity rankings and meanings are just the starting point. Our AI consultant finds names that match your heritage, style, and what matters most to you.
Completely free. No credit card required.
Start your free session