Boy
Bernard
brave as a bear
About Bernard
Bernard embodies classical naming tradition with unwavering dignity and strength. This time-honored choice has weathered centuries while maintaining its essential character and appeal. The name projects an image of dependability and substance, suggesting someone with integrity and inner strength. Bernard carries intellectual connotations, often associated with thoughtfulness and scholarly pursuits, yet it's grounded enough to suit any temperament. The solid construction of the name—two clear syllables with distinct consonants—gives it an architectural quality that feels well-built and enduring. While some might consider it old-fashioned, that very quality offers refreshing contrast in an era of invented names. Bernard serves families seeking to honor traditional values while providing their child with a name that commands respect.
Popularity of the Name Bernard
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | New Zealand | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | #97 | ||||
| 1881 | #96 | ||||
| 1882 | #103 | ||||
| 1883 | #96 | ||||
| 1884 | #108 | ||||
| 1885 | #91 | ||||
| 1886 | #91 | ||||
| 1887 | #97 | ||||
| 1888 | #87 | ||||
| 1889 | #81 | ||||
| 1890 | #98 | ||||
| 1891 | #85 | ||||
| 1892 | #85 | ||||
| 1893 | #84 | ||||
| 1894 | #78 | ||||
| 1895 | #77 | ||||
| 1896 | #82 | ||||
| 1897 | #78 | ||||
| 1898 | #73 | ||||
| 1899 | #85 | ||||
| 1900 | #86 | #61 | |||
| 1901 | #80 | #72 | |||
| 1902 | #83 | #86 | |||
| 1903 | #79 | #60 | |||
| 1904 | #72 | #62 | |||
| 1905 | #82 | #80 | |||
| 1906 | #74 | #64 | |||
| 1907 | #73 | #72 | |||
| 1908 | #70 | #60 | |||
| 1909 | #68 | #63 | |||
| 1910 | #62 | #57 | |||
| 1911 | #54 | #53 | |||
| 1912 | #60 | #75 | |||
| 1913 | #52 | #57 | |||
| 1914 | #50 | #42 | |||
| 1915 | #48 | #54 | |||
| 1916 | #49 | #55 | |||
| 1917 | #49 | #52 | |||
| 1918 | #47 | #51 | |||
| 1919 | #45 | #64 | |||
| 1920 | #46 | #60 | |||
| 1921 | #45 | #53 | |||
| 1922 | #46 | #55 | |||
| 1923 | #46 | #55 | |||
| 1924 | #46 | #50 | |||
| 1925 | #48 | #53 | |||
| 1926 | #49 | #51 | |||
| 1927 | #50 | #53 | |||
| 1928 | #49 | #56 | |||
| 1929 | #52 | #62 | |||
| 1930 | #52 | #49 | |||
| 1931 | #54 | #54 | |||
| 1932 | #60 | #59 | |||
| 1933 | #63 | #56 | |||
| 1934 | #65 | #71 | |||
| 1935 | #67 | #57 | |||
| 1936 | #68 | #79 | |||
| 1937 | #73 | #59 | |||
| 1938 | #75 | #80 | |||
| 1939 | #76 | #66 | |||
| 1940 | #82 | #69 | |||
| 1941 | #87 | #71 | |||
| 1942 | #90 | #65 | |||
| 1943 | #92 | #56 | |||
| 1944 | #94 | #55 | |||
| 1945 | #98 | #59 | |||
| 1946 | #102 | #70 | |||
| 1947 | #100 | #81 | |||
| 1948 | #107 | #82 | |||
| 1949 | #111 | #79 | |||
| 1950 | #110 | #82 | |||
| 1951 | #107 | #87 | |||
| 1952 | #111 | #82 | |||
| 1953 | #119 | #81 | |||
| 1954 | #123 | #81 | |||
| 1955 | #127 | #83 | |||
| 1956 | #129 | #88 | |||
| 1957 | #137 | #79 | |||
| 1958 | #143 | #84 | |||
| 1959 | #152 | #98 | |||
| 1960 | #152 | #97 | |||
| 1961 | #156 | #86 | |||
| 1962 | #161 | #106 | |||
| 1963 | #165 | #98 | |||
| 1964 | #165 | #108 | #33 | ||
| 1965 | #170 | #94 | #34 | ||
| 1966 | #177 | #107 | #36 | ||
| 1967 | #179 | #106 | #41 | ||
| 1968 | #189 | #147 | #41 | ||
| 1969 | #199 | #185 | #38 | ||
| 1970 | #210 | #183 | #47 | ||
| 1971 | #205 | #176 | #51 | ||
| 1972 | #213 | #201 | #60 | ||
| 1973 | #226 | #172 | #59 | ||
| 1974 | #238 | #237 | #65 | ||
| 1975 | #242 | #219 | #66 | ||
| 1976 | #249 | #259 | #73 | ||
| 1977 | #261 | #251 | #65 | ||
| 1978 | #267 | #219 | #77 | ||
| 1979 | #272 | #77 | |||
| 1980 | #274 | #184 | #75 | ||
| 1981 | #289 | #231 | #76 | ||
| 1982 | #297 | #237 | #71 | ||
| 1983 | #308 | #277 | #80 | ||
| 1984 | #317 | #214 | #82 | ||
| 1985 | #312 | #203 | #84 | ||
| 1986 | #333 | #288 | #88 | ||
| 1987 | #340 | #81 | |||
| 1988 | #345 | #214 | #91 | ||
| 1989 | #349 | #249 | #84 | ||
| 1990 | #429 | #297 | #108 | ||
| 1991 | #408 | #98 | #424 | ||
| 1992 | #421 | #128 | #425 | ||
| 1993 | #434 | #118 | #540 | ||
| 1994 | #495 | #128 | #490 | ||
| 1995 | #496 | #126 | #509 | ||
| 1996 | #565 | #112 | #525 | ||
| 1997 | #579 | #661 | #130 | #557 | |
| 1998 | #616 | #566 | #150 | #736 | |
| 1999 | #648 | #919 | #189 | #618 | |
| 2000 | #655 | #753 | #130 | ||
| 2001 | #688 | #720 | #185 | #785 | |
| 2002 | #761 | #805 | #205 | #923 | |
| 2003 | #790 | #726 | #207 | #785 | |
| 2004 | #765 | #737 | #203 | ||
| 2005 | #832 | #930 | #214 | ||
| 2006 | #958 | #976 | #200 | ||
| 2007 | #934 | #226 | |||
| 2008 | #944 | #275 | |||
| 2014 | #952 | #326 | #948 | ||
| 2015 | #967 | #355 | |||
| 2016 | #886 | #314 | |||
| 2017 | #973 | #319 | |||
| 2019 | #880 | #263 | |||
| 2020 | #942 | #334 | #964 | ||
| 2021 | #851 | #538 | #895 | ||
| 2022 | #776 | #564 | |||
| 2023 | #834 | #389 | |||
| 2024 | #637 | #567 | #1000 | ||
| 2025 | #798 | #502 | |||
| 2009 | #292 | ||||
| 2010 | #377 | ||||
| 2011 | #256 | ||||
| 2012 | #337 | ||||
| 2013 | #297 | ||||
| 2018 | #287 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · New Zealand · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Bernard
Names Similar to Bernard
Nicknames for Bernard
- Bernie
- Bern
- Barney
- Nard
Famous People Named Bernard
| Bernard Shaw | Irish playwright and critic |
| Bernard Arnault | French billionaire and CEO of LVMH |
| Bernard Hopkins | American professional boxer |
| Bernard Lee | British actor known for playing M in James Bond films |
| Bernard Herrmann | American composer known for film scores like "Psycho" and "Vertigo" |
| Bernard Tomic | Australian professional tennis player |
| Bernard King | American former NBA player and Hall of Famer |
| Bernard Lagat | Kenyan-American middle-distance runner and Olympian |
| Bernard Sumner | English musician, member of New Order and Joy Division |
| Bernard Cribbins | British actor and comedian |
| Bernard Madoff | American financier convicted of a massive Ponzi scheme |
| Bernard Parker | South African soccer player |
| Bernard Haitink | Dutch conductor |
| Bernard Cornwell | British author known for historical fiction novels |
| Bernard Edwards | American musician, bassist of Chic |
| Bernard Fox | British actor known for his roles in "Bewitched" and "Titanic" |
| Bernard Fanning | Australian musician, lead singer of Powderfinger |
| Bernard B. Jacobs | American theater producer and co-owner of the Jacobs Theatre |
| Bernard Hill | British actor known for roles in "Lord of the Rings" and "Titanic" |
| Bernard Ebbers | Former CEO of WorldCom |
Characters Named Bernard
| Bernard Marx | Character in Aldous Huxley's novel "Brave New World" |
| Bernard Black | Character in the TV show "Black Books" |
| Bernard Lowe | Character in the TV show "Westworld" |
| Bernard the Arch-Elf | Character in the "Santa Claus" movie series |
| Bernard Woolley | Character in the British TV series "Yes, Minister" |
| Bernard Nadler | Character in the TV show "Lost" |
| Bernard Blackadder | Character in the TV series "Blackadder's Christmas Carol" |