Bernard
A boys’ name of Germanic origin, meaning brave bear; strong as a bear.
Bernard by the numbers
In 2025, 42 babies in England and Wales were named Bernard. In the US, 160 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given noticeably more often in England and Wales than in the US.
Its American peak was 4,505 babies in 1924, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
Names that come from Bernard
Forms of Bernard in other languages, names built from it, and names that mean a son or daughter of it. Not always the same sex.
- Bernadettebrave as a bear; feminine form of Bernard175 in the US (2017)
- Berniebrave bear; diminutive of Bernard26 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bernardinobrave as a bear; diminutive form of Bernard5 in the US (2017)
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Bernard. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean a bear
Like Bernard, each of these has a bear in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Arthurbear; the legendary king3,211 in England and Wales (2025)
- Barrettstrength of a bear1,633 in the US (2017)
- Atlasto bear, endure; the Titan355 in England and Wales (2025)
- Arturobear; strong warrior; spanish form of arthur475 in the US (2017)
- Bjornbear70 in England and Wales (2025)
- Bearthe animal bear; animal name used as given name117 in England and Wales (2025)
Other names that mean courage
Like Bernard, each of these has courage in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Wyattbrave in war9,768 in the US (2017)
- Andrewmanly, brave8,228 in the US (2017)
- Rileyvaliant; rye clearing7,797 in the US (2017)
- Leonardobrave lion; from Germanic elements4,113 in the US (2017)
- Everettbrave as a wild boar3,814 in the US (2017)
- Tristanbold, sorrowful; from Pictish origin3,333 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Bernard
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