Bernhard
German · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Bernhard
Bernhard means "brave bear" or "strong as a bear," derived from the Germanic elements "bern" (bear) and "hard" (strong, hardy).
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Etymology
Bernhard means "brave bear" or "strong as a bear," derived from the Germanic elements "bern" (bear) and "hard" (strong, hardy).
The name is primarily used in German-speaking countries, Scandinavia, and other Germanic cultures, with historical prominence among Germanic nobility and saints, particularly Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century).
Bernhard currently ranks #10,966 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 1916.
Variants & nicknames
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Sibling name ideas
German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Germanic names that sit beautifully beside BernhardSimilar names you might like
Names starting with BMore names starting with B
- Bart
- Bara
- Barry
- Bas
- Baptiste
- Babita
- Baby
- Bastian
- Baldur
- Barbara
- Bea
- Baran
- Basile
- Bartosz
- Barkat
- Barbora
- Barrett
- Bautista
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Names that sound like Bernhard
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Bernardo means "brave bear" and derives from the Germanic elements "bern" (bear) and "hard" (brave/strong)."
"Bernardus is the Latinized form of Bernard, derived from the Germanic elements "bern" (bear) and "hard" (strong), meaning "strong as…"
"The given name 'Bernardina' is derived from the Germanic word 'bern,' meaning 'bear,' and the Latin suffix '-ard,' which is…"
"Bernard derives from the Germanic elements "ber" (bear) and "hard" (strong), meaning "brave bear" or "strong as a bear." The…"
"The name Bernardine means "strong as a bear" or "brave bear," derived from the Old High German elements *bero* (bear)…"
"The name Bernardette is a feminine form of Bernard, meaning "brave as a bear" from the Old German elements *bern*…"
"Bernarde means "brave bear" and derives from the Germanic elements "bern" (bear) and "hard" (brave/strong), rooted in Old High German."
"Bernard-Marie combines two names: Bernard derives from the Germanic elements "ber" (bear) and "hard" (strong), meaning "brave bear," while Marie…"
"Bernardin means "brave as a bear" and derives from the Germanic name Bernard, combining "ber" (bear) and "hard" (brave/strong), filtered…"
"The name 'Bernardino' means "brave as a bear," derived from the Germanic elements *bern* (bear) and *hard* (brave/hardy), via the…"
"Brynmor is a Welsh name composed of "bryn" (hill) and "mor" (sea), literally meaning "hill of the sea" or "sea…"
"The given name 'Burnard' means "strong as a bear" or "bear-hard," derived from the Old English elements *bera* (bear) and…"