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Bernice

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Bernice Pronunciation

Bernice is pronounced ber-NEESS /bərˈnis/High

Meaning: Contracted form of Berenice — Greek Pherenike, 'bringer of victory' — a New Testament nameHigh

In 30 seconds: Victory in sensible shoes: Bernice contracts the queenly Berenice — 'bringer of victory' — into early-American sturdiness. Grandmother-chic and quietly triumphant.
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Origin HighGreek
MeaningContracted form of Berenice — Greek Pherenike, 'bringer of victory' — a New Testament name
U.S. rank (2024)#3821 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births39 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 182,094

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802024

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

History & Origin

Bernice is the contracted form of Berenice — Greek Pherenike, 'bringer of victory' — 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.

Did you know? Fitzgerald's story 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' made this name a Jazz Age byword for transformation — the wallflower who cuts her hair and changes everything.
Overall data confidence 88%
Behind the Name — Bernice — etymology

Variations

BereniceBernieceBernise

Nicknames

BernieNiecy

Famous Bearers

  • Bernice Johnson Reagon (1942–2024)
    American singer, scholar, and founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock.

If you like Bernice…

Berenice— the fuller queenly form
Beatrice— a fellow vintage 'blessing' classic
Eunice— the companion Greek -nice name
Bernadette— another sturdy Bern- revival

→ See all names like Bernice

Browse the whole category: All Greek names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Bernice?

Bernice is pronounced ber-NEESS (/bərˈnis/). Press play above to hear Bernice said aloud.

How do you say Bernice?

Bernice is said ber-NEESS (/bərˈnis/). Press play above to hear Bernice said aloud.

What does the name Bernice mean?

Bernice is a form of Berenice, Greek for 'bringer of victory'.

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.

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