Find out how popular the last name Berna is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Berna.

Berna, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Berna surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Berna in America

Berna is the 24572nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Berna surname appeared 1,017 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Berna.

We can also compare 2010 data for Berna to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Berna

The surname Berna has its origins in the Catalonia region of Spain, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Catalan word "berna," which means a deep, wooded ravine or gulch. This suggests that the name may have originated as a topographic surname, referring to someone who lived near or in a wooded valley.

One of the earliest known references to the Berna surname can be found in the Catalan Fogatge, a tax census from the 14th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as Berna, Bernes, and Bernés, indicating its widespread use in the region during that time.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Juan Berna (1495-1567) was a renowned architect and sculptor from Barcelona. He is best known for his work on the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar and the Cathedral of Barcelona, where he contributed to the intricate stone carvings and architectural designs.

Another notable bearer of the Berna surname was Francesc Berna (1725-1789), a Spanish military officer and engineer who served in the Spanish Army during the 18th century. He played a significant role in the construction of fortifications and military defenses throughout Spain and its colonies.

In the 19th century, a Spanish writer and poet named Joaquín Berna (1820-1892) gained recognition for his literary works, including several collections of poetry and short stories. His works explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, reflecting the cultural and artistic movements of his time.

The Berna surname also found its way to Italy, where it has been recorded as Berna or Bernà. One prominent Italian with this name was Cesare Berna (1867-1935), a politician and lawyer who served as a member of the Italian Parliament and played an active role in the political landscape of his time.

Throughout history, the Berna surname has been associated with various professions, from architects and engineers to writers and politicians. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval period in Catalonia, the name has spread across various regions and cultures, reflecting the diverse journeys and stories of those who bear it.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Berna

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Berna.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Berna was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Berna has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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