Burnie is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic 'Bearn', which means 'strength' or 'power'. It is a variant of Bernard and Barnard, both meaning 'strong as a bear'. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages when many Europeans made pilgrimages to the shrine of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Burnie was particularly common in Scotland, with historical records dating back to the 13th century.
"From 1889 to 1949, the name Burnie experienced variable popularity with a total of 62 babies named Burnie being born during this period."