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Bernice
Pronounced ber-NEESS /bΙrΛnis/High
Meaning: Contracted form of Berenice β Greek Pherenike, 'bringer of victory' β a New Testament nameHigh
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Bernice is the contracted form of Berenice β Greek Pherenike, 'bringer of victory' β borne by a princess in the Acts of the Apostles. A turn-of-the-century American staple (and Fitzgerald story heroine), it sits in prime vintage-revival territory.
It registers thinly today, awaiting its Hazel-style comeback. Victory at the root, sturdy, and grandmother-chic.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Bernice Johnson Reagon (1942β2024)American singer, scholar, and founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Bernice mean?
Bernice is a form of Berenice, Greek for 'bringer of victory'.
How do you pronounce Bernice?
It's said ber-NEESS /bΙrΛnis/ β two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Bernice a boy or girl name?
Bernice is a girl's name.
How popular is Bernice?
Bernice is a rare vintage name in the U.S. today.