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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Bear + brave/strong — 'brave as a bear'
- Origin
- Germanic (via Old French)
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- bur-NARD
Bernard is a Germanic name, passed into English through Old French, built from words for "bear" and "brave" or "strong" — together read as "brave as a bear." It's pronounced bur-NARD. If you like a name with real weight and history behind its sound, this is a solid, classic pick.
Meaning & Origin of Bernard
Meaning: Bear + brave/strong — 'brave as a bear'.
Origin: Germanic (via Old French).
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Bernard
bur-NARDIPA /bərˈnɑːrd/
Popularity of Bernard
Bernard hit its high point in 1919, when 3,915 boys were given the name and it ranked #45 nationally. By 2024 it had fallen to #1318, with just 147 babies named Bernard that year.
Names Like Bernard
Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.
FAQ
What does the name Bernard mean?
Bear + brave/strong — ‘brave as a bear’. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Bernard?
Bernard is pronounced bur-NARD (IPA: /bərˈnɑːrd/).
Is Bernard a popular name right now?
Bernard peaked at #45 in 1919 and is ranked #1318 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Bernard Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Bernard, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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