Bernard
/ˈbɜːrnərd/noun
A masculine given name and surname of Germanic origin.
Did you know?Bernard comes from a Germanic battle-name built from the words for “bear” and “hard/strong,” a classic example of how medieval names were meant to carry protective power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*berô
“bear”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*harduz
“hard, strong, brave”
Early Germanic
Germanic
*Bernhardaz
“bear-hard, strong as a bear”
Old High German
OHG
Bernhard
“a personal name meaning bear-hard”
Old French
OF
Bernard
“borrowed personal name”
Middle English
ME
Bernard
“a male given name and family name”
Modern English
English
Bernard
“a masculine given name and surname”