Bernard
Bernard is a Christian boy name of Germanic origin, meaning “Brave as a bear”.
| Meaning | Brave as a bear |
|---|---|
| Gender | Boy |
| Origin | Germanic |
| Pronunciation | bur-NARD |
| Tradition | Christian, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | France, United Kingdom, United States, Germany |
Meaning and origin of Bernard
Bernard joins the Germanic bern, 'bear', with hard, 'brave, hardy', giving the sense 'strong as a bear'. The Normans brought it to England. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a twelfth-century abbot and preacher, made it famous, and Saint Bernard of Menthon gave his name to the Alpine passes and the rescue dogs. The playwright George Bernard Shaw is another well-known bearer.
Is Bernard a Christian name?
Bernard is a Christian name honoured through several saints, especially Bernard of Clairvaux, a Doctor of the Church. It is common in Catholic Europe.
How popular is Bernard?
Familiar across Europe and the Americas, though more usual among older men than babies.
Gifts with the name Bernard
- Bernard name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Bernard baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Bernard
Names similar to Bernard
More Christian boy names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Bernard mean?
Bernard means 'Brave as a bear'. It is of Germanic origin.
Is Bernard a Christian name?
Bernard is a Christian name honoured through several saints, especially Bernard of Clairvaux, a Doctor of the Church. It is common in Catholic Europe.
How do you pronounce Bernard?
Bernard is pronounced bur-NARD.
Is Bernard a boy or girl name?
Bernard is usually a boy name.