Find out how popular the first name Bernhard has been for the last 48 years (from 1974 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Bernhard by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Bernhard is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Bernhard.

The history of the first name Bernhard

The name Bernhard is of Germanic origin, derived from the elements "bern" meaning "bear" and "hard" meaning "brave" or "hardy". It dates back to the 8th century AD and was initially used by the Frankish and Saxon tribes inhabiting central and northern Europe.

In the early Middle Ages, the name gained popularity across the Holy Roman Empire, with notable bearers including Bernhard of Menthon, a 10th-century Benedictine monk and patron saint of mountaineers. The name also appears in early medieval German literature, such as the Nibelungenlied, an epic poem from the 13th century.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name is Bernhard, King of Italy from 810 to 818 AD, who ruled as the Carolingian King of the Lombards. Another prominent figure was Bernhard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century French abbot and primary reformer of the Cistercian order, who was canonized as a saint in 1174.

During the Renaissance and Reformation, the name remained popular in German-speaking regions. Bernhard Walther, a 16th-century German composer and music theorist, is notable for his contributions to the development of Protestant church music. Bernhard Varen, a 17th-century Dutch Golden Age painter, was renowned for his still-life paintings.

In the 19th century, Bernhard Riemann, a German mathematician born in 1826, made significant contributions to the field of geometry and the study of functions. Bernhard von Bülow, born in 1849, was a German diplomat and politician who served as Chancellor of the German Empire from 1900 to 1909.

The 20th century saw several notable figures bearing the name, including Bernhard Lichtenberg, a German Catholic priest and martyr who was executed by the Nazis in 1943 for his anti-Nazi activism. Bernhard Grzimek, a German zoologist and author born in 1909, was known for his efforts in wildlife conservation and popular television series on animals.

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 Bernhard was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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