Bernard
How to say it: ber-NARD · /bərˈnɑːrd/
From Old High German Bernhard, 'bear hardy/brave'; introduced to England by the Normans.
Bernard was the 1,183rd most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 137 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1920s, its births are down about 9% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #1,255 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #1,183 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 137 |
| Share of births | 1 in 24,199 |
| Peak decade | 1920s |
| Change over 10 years | −9% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,255 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,436 among boys’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Once a regular in the 1920s, Bernard reached its height then and has faded since. Now far below that high, it is likely to drift lower.
What goes with it
Two firm syllables give Bernard a solid and resolute air with soft edges and crisp ends. A saint's name, it pairs in style with Leonard, while Bernie offers a friendlier short form.
Nicknames
- Bern
- Bernie
- Barney
Honouring a Bernard in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Bernard is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish.
In France: #2,436 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Bernard
- Bernard of Clairvaux (1091–1153)Burgundian saint, abbot and theologian
- Bernard Cazeneuve (born 1963)French prime minister
- Bernard Montgomery (1887–1976)British Army officer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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