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Bernard

♂ Boy

Pronounced BUR-nerd /ˈbɜːr.nərd/Low

Meaning: Strong as a bear; brave as a bearLow

In 30 seconds: Bernard is a classic Germanic name meaning strong as a bear or brave as a bear, from Old High German bern (bear) and hard (strong, brave). Borne by saints, popes, and a beloved mountain dog breed, it has extraordinary historical depth.

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Origin LowGermanic, French

MeaningStrong as a bear; brave as a bear

U.S. rank (2025)#1362 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births137 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1924

Total births (all-time)≈ 200,085

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Bernard comes from the Old High German Bernhard combining bern (bear) and hard (strong, brave), meaning brave as a bear or strong as a bear. It was brought to England by the Normans and has been used continuously since the medieval period.

Bernard has a distinguished vintage quality in the United States and is associated with the beloved Saint Bernard dog. It is experiencing a quiet revival as parents rediscover substantial Germanic names.

Did you know? Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was one of the most influential figures of medieval Christianity — a monk, theologian, and crusade preacher whose charisma shaped 12th-century Europe. The Saint Bernard dog, bred by monks in the Swiss Alps as a rescue dog, was named in his honor.

Overall data confidence 90%

Behind the Name: Bernard

Variations

BernardoBernhardBarnard

Nicknames

BernieBernBarney

Famous Bearers

★Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153)
French abbot and theologian, a leading figure of 12th-century Christianity and founder of the Clairvaux abbey

If you like Bernard…

Leopold— Germanic noble name of same era

Edgar— Germanic -ar name of same vintage quality

Alfred— Germanic -fred name of same mid-century vintage feel

Howard— shares Bernard's Germanic roots

Leonard— echoes that soft -rd sound

Explore names like Bernard

By themeclassic two-syllable vintage germanic saint

By meaningStrength Brave / Courage

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Bernard mean?

Bernard means strong as a bear from Old High German bern (bear) and hard (strong, brave).

Why is the dog called a Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernard dogs were bred by monks at the Saint Bernard Pass in Switzerland as rescue dogs, named for Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.

How do you pronounce Bernard?

Bernard is pronounced BUR-nerd with two syllables.

What names are similar to Bernard?

Similar vintage Germanic names include Lennard, Leopold, and Edgar.