Benard is of French origin, derived from the Germanic word 'Bernhard', which means "strong as a bear". It gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages and has since become widely used throughout Europe and beyond. The name Benard is typically associated with strength, bravery, and steadfastness, though these traits are not inherent to individuals named Benard but rather derived from the name's meaning. In many cultures, it is considered a unisex name, although it is more commonly used for males in English-speaking countries. Some variations of the name include Bernard, Bernardo, Bernd, and Bernat. Notable figures with this name include American painter Benny Andrews and French footballer Bernard Mendy.
The name Bernard experienced fluctuating popularity over the years with a peak period between 1915 and 1938, when it consistently had more than 20 births per year, reaching as high as 37 births in 1953. However, from the late 1960s onwards, its popularity significantly declined, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded since 1975, and as low as 5 births in several years between 2001 and 2022. In total, there have been 1644 births named Bernard from 1890 to 2022.