Bernard Boy

Popularity: #801 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ber-NARD //bərˈnɑrd//

Origin: German; Old High German

Meaning: Brave as a bear; strong as a bear

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Bernard has its roots in the Germanic elements "ber(n)" meaning "bear" and "hard" meaning "brave" or "hardy." This etymology can be traced back to the Old High German form "Bernhard," which was adopted into Latin as "Bernardus." The name made its way into Old French as "Bernard," before entering the English language in the medieval period, particularly after the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, which facilitated the introduction of many Norman names into English culture. Historically, the name Bernard has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a prominent monk and theologian of the 12th century, who was instrumental in the Cistercian reform and is remembered for his influential writings and sermons.

His canonization in 1174 further solidified the name's significance in Christian tradition. Additionally, Bernard of Clairvaux was a key figure in the Second Crusade, which added to the name's historical resonance during the medieval period.

The name was also borne by various kings and nobles throughout Europe, contributing to its noble associations. Culturally, the name Bernard has been linked to strength and bravery, reflecting its etymological roots.

It has appeared in various literary works and has been associated with the ideals of chivalry and valor, particularly in medieval literature. The diminutive form "Bernie" has also emerged in various cultures, although it is less historically significant than the full name.

Overall, the name Bernard has maintained a lasting presence in European history and culture, symbolizing courage and resilience.

Famous people named Bernard

In this section, you will find notable people named Bernard. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Bernard who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Bernard who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Bernard Shaw is a journalist and news anchor best known for CNN and his coverage of the Gulf War.

Bernard Herrmann is a composer best known for his film scores for Psycho, Vertigo, and Citizen Kane.

Bernard Cornwell is an author best known for the Sharpe series and The Last Kingdom series.

Bernard Madoff is a financier best known for operating the largest Ponzi scheme in history.

Bernard Sumner is a musician best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of New Order and Joy Division.

Fictional characters named Bernard

The following list of fictional characters named Bernard is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Bernard is a fictional character from the animated film The Rescuers. He is a timid but brave mouse who works with his partner to rescue a kidnapped girl.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Bernard, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

BeatriceBenjaminBenedictBiancaBorisBridget

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bernard. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

BernieBennettBarneyBrennanBrandonBartholomewBlaineBalthazar

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Bernard was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Bernard has ranked as high as #107 nationally, which occurred in 1924, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Bernard has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Bernard is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Bernard was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Bernard.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 137 137 0
2024 147 147 0
2023 122 122 0
2022 148 148 0
2021 143 143 0
2020 148 148 0
2019 150 150 0
2018 168 168 0
2017 160 160 0
2016 163 163 0
2015 151 151 0
2014 158 158 0
2013 168 168 0
2012 150 150 0
2011 168 168 0
2010 172 172 0
2009 189 189 0
2008 214 214 0
2007 212 212 0
2006 194 194 0
2005 223 223 0
2004 238 238 0
2003 220 220 0
2002 226 226 0
2001 261 261 0
2000 275 275 0
1999 266 266 0
1998 297 297 0
1997 319 319 0
1996 323 323 0
1995 431 431 0
1994 413 413 0
1993 514 506 8
1992 530 530 0
1991 558 558 0
1990 516 516 0
1989 659 659 0
1988 614 609 5
1987 599 593 6
1986 602 595 7
1985 660 653 7
1984 623 615 8
1983 649 640 9
1982 683 677 6
1981 705 697 8
1980 769 769 0
1979 765 760 5
1978 748 738 10
1977 765 758 7
1976 801 793 8
1975 857 847 10
1974 864 858 6
1973 953 945 8
1972 1,059 1,047 12
1971 1,174 1,168 6
1970 1,197 1,186 11
1969 1,295 1,284 11
1968 1,317 1,306 11
1967 1,450 1,442 8
1966 1,541 1,522 19
1965 1,681 1,675 6
1964 1,889 1,878 11
1963 1,964 1,946 18
1962 1,982 1,970 12
1961 2,166 2,150 16
1960 2,313 2,302 11
1959 2,289 2,274 15
1958 2,415 2,407 8
1957 2,549 2,532 17
1956 2,500 2,485 15
1955 2,566 2,560 6
1954 2,735 2,727 8
1953 2,756 2,746 10
1952 2,755 2,748 7
1951 2,779 2,772 7
1950 2,648 2,636 12
1949 2,686 2,680 6
1948 2,715 2,715 0
1947 3,006 2,994 12
1946 2,610 2,605 5
1945 2,404 2,388 16
1944 2,628 2,619 9
1943 2,756 2,744 12
1942 2,736 2,724 12
1941 2,515 2,509 6
1940 2,475 2,468 7
1939 2,635 2,624 11
1938 2,725 2,715 10
1937 2,681 2,672 9
1936 2,862 2,853 9
1935 2,942 2,933 9
1934 3,157 3,146 11
1933 3,024 3,005 19
1932 3,266 3,252 14
1931 3,538 3,514 24
1930 3,855 3,831 24
1929 3,841 3,807 34
1928 4,098 4,067 31
1927 4,199 4,165 34
1926 4,195 4,172 23
1925 4,283 4,259 24
1924 4,524 4,505 19
1923 4,396 4,376 20
1922 4,434 4,409 25
1921 4,500 4,485 15
1920 4,191 4,163 28
1919 3,925 3,915 10
1918 4,117 4,098 19
1917 3,727 3,711 16
1916 3,491 3,476 15
1915 3,322 3,302 20
1914 2,454 2,436 18
1913 1,924 1,916 8
1912 1,437 1,437 0
1911 786 777 9
1910 565 560 5
1909 463 463 0
1908 414 414 0
1907 378 378 0
1906 343 343 0
1905 292 292 0
1904 326 326 0
1903 271 271 0
1902 259 259 0
1901 247 242 5
1900 308 308 0
1899 222 222 0
1898 284 284 0
1897 239 234 5
1896 241 241 0
1895 259 259 0
1894 256 256 0
1893 217 217 0
1892 237 237 0
1891 187 187 0
1890 178 178 0
1889 215 215 0
1888 207 207 0
1887 159 159 0
1886 180 180 0
1885 160 160 0
1884 140 140 0
1883 141 141 0
1882 144 144 0
1881 130 130 0
1880 140 140 0

Top States for Bernard (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 13
14%
FL 13
14%
CA 10
11%
OH 8
9%
IL 7
8%
MA 6
7%
GA 5
5%
PA 5
5%
TX 5
5%
IN 5
5%
NJ 5
5%
MI 5
5%
MO 5
5%