Bernhard is a name of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "bernhart," which is composed of two elements: "bern" meaning "bear" and "hart" meaning "strong, hardy." Therefore, Bernhard means "strong as a bear."
The name Bernhard has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One of the most famous Bernhards was Saint Bernhard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), a French abbot and theologian who founded the Cistercian order. He is revered as a saint in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
Another prominent figure named Bernhard was Bernhard von Clairvaux (1846-1922), a German poet, playwright, and translator known for his influential works such as "Die Tragödie des Schauspielers" ("The Tragedy of the Actor") and his translations of Shakespeare's plays into German.
In some cultures, Bernhard is associated with the festival of Saint Bernhard, which is celebrated on August 20th. However, this celebration is not universally observed and does not define the name's significance or history. Throughout history, people named Bernhard have made valuable contributions to various fields, from religion and literature to science and politics, reflecting the strength and resilience implied by their name.
The name Bernhard experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years, with a noticeable peak during World War I. Between 1912 and 1923, there were at least 25 births each year, reaching a high of 55 births in 1916. However, after this period, the number of yearly births declined dramatically, with most years seeing fewer than 30 births. Since the late 1980s, the name has become quite rare, with typically only 5-12 births per year.