| Meaning | brave as a bear |
| Origin | German |
| Gender | Boy |
| Popularity | Moderate |
| Length | 7 |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Syllabification | Ber-nard |
The name Bernard, with its Germanic roots, exudes strength and resilience, making it a popular choice for baby boys across cultures. Derived from "Bernhard," which combines "bern" (bear) and "hard" (strong), Bernard carries a timeless meaning of "brave as a bear" or "strong as a bear."
Parents often choose Bernard for its classic charm and historical significance. It has adorned many notable figures throughout history, including the witty Irish playwright Bernard Shaw, and Bernard Arnault, the visionary CEO of LVMH.
This name's versatility is showcased by its variations such as Bernardo and Bjorn, as well as its affectionate nicknames like Bernie and Benny.
Fictional characters like Bernard Marx from "Brave New World" and Bernard Lowe from "Westworld" have further embedded the name in popular culture, adding to its allure.
If you seek a name that symbolizes strength, courage, and a hint of nature's might, Bernard could be the perfect choice for your baby boy, ensuring he carries a piece of the powerful bear spirit throughout his life.
| Bernie |
| Bern |
| Barney |
| Nard |
| 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 |
| 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" |