The story behind Bernard
Inherited from Middle English Bernard, from Old French Bernard, Bernart, from Medieval Latin Bernardus, probably from Frankish *Bernhard (cognate with Old High German Bernhart, Old English Beornheard), from Proto-Germanic *Bernuharduz, equivalent to bear + -ard. Popularized by medieval European saints.
Pronunciation
US: /bəɹˈnɑɹd/
Regional pronunciation variants
- UK: /ˈbɜːnəd/
Popularity
Bernard ranked #1362 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Bernard
Arnold
From a French version of a Germanic name, from Proto-West Germanic *Arnuwald, from Proto-Germanic *arô (“eagle”) + *waldą (“power”). For the first part of the word doublet of…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Astrid
Borrowed from modern Scandinavian (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish) Astrid since the 19th century.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Conrad
A variant of German Konrad, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *Kōnirād, from *kōnī (“bold, brave”) + *rād (“counsel”). Cognate of Old English Cēnrēd, Dutch Koenraad and…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gerald
From Old French, ultimately from Frankish *gaiʀ (“spear”) + *wald (“might, power”). The name was brought to England by the Normans. It survived in Ireland, and was revived in…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Gerard
English Gerard From Middle English Gerard, from Old French Gerart, from Frankish *Gaiʀahard, from *gaiʀ (“spear”) + *hard(ī) (“hard, brave”). From Frankish *Gaiʀahard, either…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Goddard
* As an English surname of Norman origin, name of a 10th-11th-century German saint, from Old High German got (“God”) + harti,herti (“hard, strong”). Brought to England by…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Bernard
Adalbertas
Learned borrowing from Latin Adalbertus, from Proto-West Germanic *Aþalaberht, from Proto-Germanic *Aþalaberhtaz. Compare German Adalbert and Latvian Adalberts.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends S
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adela
Latinate form of French Adèle, short form of Germanic compound names beginning with Proto-Germanic *aþalaz (“noble”). Compare Old English æþele, English athel. Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Adelaide
Borrowed from French Adélaïde, from Old High German Adalheid (from adal (“noble”) + heit (“nature, character”)), modern German Adelheid; doublet of Alice.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Bernard
Adela
Latinate form of French Adèle, short form of Germanic compound names beginning with Proto-Germanic *aþalaz (“noble”). Compare Old English æþele, English athel. Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adelaide
Borrowed from French Adélaïde, from Old High German Adalheid (from adal (“noble”) + heit (“nature, character”)), modern German Adelheid; doublet of Alice.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Adele
Borrowed from French Adèle, equivalent of Adela, from a Germanic root meaning “noble”. Compare athel, German edel, Old English æþele. From French Adèle. Borrowed from French…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length