Find out how popular the first name Bernell has been for the last 46 years (from 1974 to 2019) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bernell by gender

Based on the last 46 years of data, Bernell is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2019, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bernell.

The history of the first name Bernell

The given name Bernell originated from the Germanic language family, specifically the Old English and Old Norse languages. It is derived from the combination of two words: "bern" meaning "bear" and "ellen" meaning "strength" or "valor." The name was popular among the Anglo-Saxon and Viking cultures during the Early Middle Ages, roughly from the 5th to the 11th centuries.

In its early usage, Bernell was a name commonly given to male children, symbolizing the virtues of strength, courage, and resilience, traits that were highly valued in the warrior cultures of that era. The name's association with the mighty bear further reinforced its connotations of physical prowess and bravery.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Bernell can be found in the Old English poem "Beowulf," which dates back to around the 8th or 9th century. In this epic work, the name is mentioned in connection with a legendary warrior, suggesting its use among the Germanic tribes of that time.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Bernell. One of the earliest was Bernell of Burgundy (c. 950-1008), a French nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the conflicts between the Duchy of Burgundy and the Kingdom of France during the late 10th century.

Another prominent figure was Bernell the Brave (c. 1066-1120), a Norman knight who fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He was renowned for his bravery and military exploits, earning him the epithet "the Brave."

In the 13th century, Bernell of Toulouse (c. 1210-1271) was a renowned scholar and philosopher who made significant contributions to the development of medieval scholastic thought. His writings on logic, metaphysics, and theology were widely studied and influential during his time.

During the Renaissance period, Bernell Cellini (1500-1571) was an Italian goldsmith, sculptor, and writer, best known for his masterpiece "Perseus with the Head of Medusa." His autobiography, published in 1558, provided a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Renaissance artist and is considered a literary classic.

In more recent times, Bernell Trammell (1932-2022) was an American jazz musician and composer, renowned for his innovative approach to the baritone saxophone. He performed and recorded with many legendary artists, including Miles Davis and John Coltrane, and left a lasting impact on the jazz scene.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Bernell was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Bernell, please contact us.

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