Bernis is of French origin, derived from the Germanic word 'bern', meaning 'bear'. It was traditionally given to strong and courageous individuals, perhaps as a symbol of power and fortitude. The name gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages but has since become less common. Notable bearer of this name includes Bernis, Duke of Lorge (1715-1794), a French soldier and statesman who served under Louis XV.
The name Bernis experienced fluctuations in popularity between 1917 and 1944, with peaks in certain years such as 12 births in 1920 and 10 births in 1925. However, the majority of years showed a lower frequency of births, with many years having fewer than 10 births each. The total number of births recorded during this period was 107.