Bernice Girl

Popularity: #913 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: BUR-nees //bɜːrˈniːs//

Origin: Greek; Hebrew

Meaning: Greek: 'bringer of victory'; Hebrew: 'son of the right hand'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Bernice has its roots in the ancient Greek name Berenikē (Βερενίκη), which is derived from the elements "phero" meaning "to bring" and "nikē" meaning "victory." This etymology conveys the literal meaning of "bringer of victory." The name was popularized in the Hellenistic period, particularly through Berenice II of Egypt, who was a prominent queen in the 3rd century BCE and is often associated with the Ptolemaic dynasty. The name transitioned into Latin as Berenice and later into Old French, before being adopted into Middle English as Bernice.

In the biblical context, Bernice appears in the New Testament, specifically in the Acts of the Apostles, where she is mentioned as the daughter of King Agrippa I and sister of Agrippa II, who ruled during the 1st century CE. This connection to historical figures in the early Christian narrative has contributed to the name's enduring presence in various cultures.

The name has been used in literature and art throughout the centuries, often symbolizing nobility and strength, reflecting its royal associations. Culturally, Bernice has been linked to themes of victory and triumph, which resonate with its etymological roots.

The name has also seen variations and diminutives, such as Berenice and Bernie, which have been used in different contexts. Over the centuries, Bernice has maintained a certain elegance and historical significance, often evoking the image of strong female figures in history and literature.

Famous people named Bernice

In this section, you will find notable people named Bernice. 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 Bernice who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Bernice 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.

Bernice Johnson Reagon is a singer, songwriter, and activist best known for founding Sweet Honey in the Rock, her work with the Civil Rights Movement, and her contributions to African American music and culture.

Bernice Liu is an actress and singer best known for her roles in TV dramas and her music career in Hong Kong.

Fictional characters named Bernice

The following list of fictional characters named Bernice 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.

Bernice is a fictional character from the comic book series Archie. She is a recurring character known for her role as a friend and sometimes rival of the main characters in Riverdale.

Sibling suggestions

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

BeatriceBernadetteBriannaBiancaBlytheBetsy

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Bernice. 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.

BereniceBonnieBrendaBelindaBlytheBrielleBethany

U.S. Historical Usage

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

Bernice has ranked as high as #76 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Georgia.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Bernice 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 Bernice 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 Bernice.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 35 0 35
2024 39 0 39
2023 36 0 36
2022 42 0 42
2021 52 0 52
2020 42 0 42
2019 54 0 54
2018 64 0 64
2017 71 0 71
2016 53 0 53
2015 57 0 57
2014 66 0 66
2013 71 0 71
2012 47 0 47
2011 62 0 62
2010 66 0 66
2009 80 0 80
2008 85 0 85
2007 80 0 80
2006 81 0 81
2005 84 0 84
2004 86 0 86
2003 82 0 82
2002 88 0 88
2001 105 0 105
2000 97 0 97
1999 122 0 122
1998 101 0 101
1997 111 0 111
1996 116 0 116
1995 109 0 109
1994 137 0 137
1993 132 6 126
1992 138 0 138
1991 143 0 143
1990 151 5 146
1989 144 0 144
1988 140 0 140
1987 132 0 132
1986 107 0 107
1985 146 0 146
1984 157 0 157
1983 143 0 143
1982 180 6 174
1981 169 0 169
1980 177 0 177
1979 165 0 165
1978 189 5 184
1977 187 5 182
1976 260 5 255
1975 228 6 222
1974 269 7 262
1973 275 10 265
1972 299 10 289
1971 331 5 326
1970 384 9 375
1969 399 14 385
1968 430 10 420
1967 464 7 457
1966 486 16 470
1965 577 12 565
1964 667 16 651
1963 717 15 702
1962 773 12 761
1961 774 10 764
1960 884 12 872
1959 872 20 852
1958 908 19 889
1957 1,001 19 982
1956 1,055 23 1,032
1955 1,068 23 1,045
1954 1,097 22 1,075
1953 1,172 16 1,156
1952 1,236 24 1,212
1951 1,314 28 1,286
1950 1,321 21 1,300
1949 1,415 35 1,380
1948 1,508 19 1,489
1947 1,724 36 1,688
1946 1,493 25 1,468
1945 1,501 24 1,477
1944 1,693 36 1,657
1943 1,928 38 1,890
1942 2,014 52 1,962
1941 1,976 42 1,934
1940 2,136 49 2,087
1939 2,174 51 2,123
1938 2,333 43 2,290
1937 2,433 49 2,384
1936 2,596 56 2,540
1935 2,852 75 2,777
1934 3,049 69 2,980
1933 3,081 72 3,009
1932 3,629 87 3,542
1931 3,893 72 3,821
1930 4,514 75 4,439
1929 4,641 90 4,551
1928 5,038 95 4,943
1927 5,420 115 5,305
1926 5,540 97 5,443
1925 5,817 89 5,728
1924 6,143 110 6,033
1923 5,913 104 5,809
1922 6,033 121 5,912
1921 6,309 119 6,190
1920 6,042 114 5,928
1919 5,896 103 5,793
1918 6,008 116 5,892
1917 5,619 73 5,546
1916 5,276 93 5,183
1915 5,030 93 4,937
1914 3,797 67 3,730
1913 3,087 51 3,036
1912 2,624 31 2,593
1911 1,940 25 1,915
1910 1,749 28 1,721
1909 1,358 21 1,337
1908 1,378 15 1,363
1907 1,207 22 1,185
1906 1,127 20 1,107
1905 1,052 20 1,032
1904 978 16 962
1903 879 11 868
1902 808 14 794
1901 660 0 660
1900 712 10 702
1899 523 8 515
1898 628 9 619
1897 535 16 519
1896 498 9 489
1895 453 6 447
1894 395 6 389
1893 340 0 340
1892 304 5 299
1891 259 11 248
1890 237 8 229
1889 213 7 206
1888 162 5 157
1887 127 0 127
1886 135 0 135
1885 96 0 96
1884 83 0 83
1883 76 7 69
1882 57 0 57
1881 48 0 48
1880 59 0 59

Top States for Bernice (2022)

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
TX 5
100%