Bernard is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German word "bern," which means "bear." The suffix "-hard" means "strong, hardy, or brave." Therefore, Bernard means "strong as a bear" or "brave as a bear."
The name Bernard was introduced into France by the Frankish conquerors in the 9th century. It became popular during the Middle Ages and has been used consistently throughout Europe since then. Some notable figures with this name include Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian abbot and theologian born in 1090, and Bernard of Chartres, a 12th-century French scholar and philosopher.
Bernard is also associated with several places around the world, such as Mount Bernard in Australia, Lake Bernard in Canada, and the town of Saint-Bernard-de-Comminges in France. Moreover, the St. Bernard dog breed takes its name from the hospice established by St. Bernard of Montjoux in Switzerland during the 11th century.
While there are no specific feast days or personality traits universally attributed to individuals named Bernard, the name has been a popular choice among parents throughout history due to its strong and noble connotations. Today, Bernard remains a classic name with enduring appeal, particularly in French-speaking countries and regions with historical ties to France.
These statistics show a fluctuating trend in the number of babies named Bernard over time. The name's popularity peaked between 1912 and 1915, with a significant increase from 1437 births in 1912 to a peak of 3711 births in 1917. However, it's clear that the name's popularity has declined steadily since then. From around 2000 onwards, there are fewer than 300 babies named Bernard born each year, with 147 births recorded in 2020 and 122 in 2023. This indicates a marked decrease in the prevalence of the name Bernard over time.