Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Bernard
BoyGermanic, French· “brave as a bear”
- Meaning
- brave as a bear
- Origin
- Germanic, French
- Pronunciation
- bur-NAHRD
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,362
- US babies 2025
- 137
- Best rank
- #45 (1919)
- Peak year
- 1924
Meaning and origin of Bernard
Bernard is a Germanic and French name that means “brave as a bear”.
Bernard comes from Germanic elements bern, "bear," and hard, "brave" or "hardy," so it means "brave as a bear." The name was carried to England by the Normans and was borne by several saints, including Bernard of Clairvaux, the influential medieval monk and theologian, and Bernard of Menthon, patron of the Alps, whose name was given to the Saint Bernard dog. Pronounced bur-NAHRD in American English, it has a strong, dignified sound. Bernie and Barney are friendly nicknames. Bernard suits parents who want a classic name with deep historical roots and a vintage character.
Other spellings with the same sound: Burnard.
Popularity over time
Bernard has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 129 different years. Its best national rank was #45 in 1919, and the most babies received it in 1924, when 4,505 were named Bernard. In 2025, 137 babies were named Bernard, and it ranked #1,362 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #46 in 1920, #110 in 1950, #274 in 1980, #656 in 2000, #1,108 in 2010, and #1,362 in 2025. Of the 200,087 US boys named Bernard since records began, 21% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 30,545 babies. Since 2010, 2,453 more have been named Bernard.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Calvin, Leroy, Clifford, Wallace, and Leon.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Bernard ranked highest in New York, North Carolina, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #1001 | 12 |
| North Carolina | #1044 | 7 |
| Virginia | #1110 | 5 |
| Florida | #1201 | 10 |
| Georgia | #1228 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Bernard is usually pronounced bur-NAHRD, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-rd”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Burnard.
Middle names for Bernard
A few middle names that flow with Bernard: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Bernard
Similar names
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Lists that include Bernard
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bernard mean?
Bernard is a Germanic and French name that means “brave as a bear”.
What is the origin of the name Bernard?
Bernard has Germanic and French roots. Bernard comes from Germanic elements bern, "bear," and hard, "brave" or "hardy," so it means "brave as a bear." The name was carried to England by the Normans and was borne by several saints, including Bernard of Clairvaux, the influential medieval monk and theologian, and Bernard of Menthon, patron of the Alps, whose name was given to the Saint Bernard dog.
Is Bernard a popular name?
Not especially. Bernard ranked #1,362 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Bernard a boy or girl name?
Bernard is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Bernard?
Bernard is usually pronounced bur-NAHRD. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings