Boy · 48th of 7,545
Bernard
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
200,931
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1924
Peak Popularity Year
4,524
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Bernard stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Bernard has Germanic roots, meaning 'brave as a bear'. It has evolved through forms such as Bernhard and Berengar. The name is associated with traits of strength and bravery, with no significant biblical relevance. It gained popularity during the Middle Ages due to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and remains a traditional name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/bərˈnɑrd/
Origin
Germanic
Etymology
The name Bernard is derived from the Germanic elements 'ber' meaning 'bear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong'.
Meaning
brave as a bear
Language Evolution
Bernhard, Berengar, Bernardus
Historical Usage
The name Bernard gained popularity in the Middle Ages, particularly due to the influence of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who was a prominent figure in the 12th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Bernie, Bern, Bren
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Bernard is viewed as a traditional name with a strong and noble connotation, often associated with wisdom and strength.
Famous People
Bernard Shaw, Bernard of Clairvaux, Bernard Cornwell
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 4,524 peak births in 1924
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Vermont
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 2 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 48th of 7545 | 63,150 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 72nd of 6773 | 53,873 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 133rd of 7552 | 47,127 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 219th of 10718 | 17,097 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 380th of 16616 | 9,016 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 817th of 24088 | 3,624 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1257th of 23106 | 1,822 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2039th of 9107 | 313 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2232nd of 9204 | 267 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3778th of 12526 | 196 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5736th of 19264 | 138 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 12276th of 27321 | 64 |