Bernhard is a name of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "bernhart," which is composed of two elements: "bern" meaning "bear" and "hart" meaning "strong, hardy." Therefore, Bernhard means "strong as a bear."
The name Bernhard has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous Bernhards was Saint Bernhard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), a French abbot and theologian who founded the Cistercian order. He is revered as a saint in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Another prominent figure named Bernhard was Bernhard von Clairvaux (1846-1922), a German poet, playwright, and translator known for his influential works such as "Die Tragödie des Schauspielers" ("The Tragedy of the Actor") and his translations of Shakespeare's plays into German.
In some cultures, Bernhard is associated with the festival of Saint Bernhard, which is celebrated on August 20th. However, this celebration is not universally observed and does not define the name's significance or history. Throughout history, people named Bernhard have made valuable contributions to various fields, from religion and literature to science and politics, reflecting the strength and resilience implied by their name.
The name Bernhard has a rich history in the United States, with its popularity fluctuating over time as reflected in the birth statistics provided.
From 1880 to 1932, there was a relatively consistent number of newborns named Bernhard each year, ranging from a low of 5 births in certain years to a peak of 45 births in 1920. This period marked the name's initial establishment and growth in popularity.
The decade between 1933 and 1942 saw a decrease in the number of newborns named Bernhard, with an average of about 20 births per year. However, there was a notable spike in 1936 with 28 births.
From 1943 to 1974, the name Bernhard experienced another decline in popularity, with fewer than 20 births per year on average. The lowest point during this period occurred in 1951 and 1971, with only 11 and 6 births respectively.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was a slight resurgence in popularity for the name Bernhard, with an average of about 7 births per year. However, this increase did not last long, as the number of newborns named Bernhard steadily declined again from the mid-1980s onwards.
Since then, the name Bernhard has remained quite rare, with fewer than 12 births each year between 1990 and 2021, except for a brief spike in 1991 with 11 births. Despite its decline in popularity over time, it is still possible to find individuals named Bernhard across different generations in the United States.
In total, there have been 1666 newborns named Bernhard in the United States since the late 19th century. This data highlights the name's historical significance and provides insight into its changing popularity over time.