Bernard
brave as a bear (Germanic)
Bernard is a english / spanish boy name in the Philippines. In the civil registry as of May 2021 it is number 179, with 47,386 records. It has 2 syllables.
Origin and meaning
brave as a bear (Germanic)
Derived from the Germanic elements 'bern' (bear) and 'hard' (brave, hardy). The name entered Philippine naming traditions primarily through Catholic saint veneration and the widespread adoption of English Christian names during and after the American colonial period.
Bernard is of Germanic origin (derived from 'bern' meaning bear and 'hard' meaning brave or hardy). It spread across Europe via French and English, reinforced by prominent Catholic saints such as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. In the Philippines, the English form Bernard was adopted alongside the traditional Spanish Bernardo.
Name character
In the Philippines
Frequently shortened to 'Bern', 'Bernie', 'Nard', or 'Narding' in informal Filipino settings. Often paired with a second name such as John Bernard or Bernard Joseph.
Related forms
- Bernardo Spanish
- Bernard French
- Bernhard German
- Bernardo Italian
Would your family give Bernard?
Mark it if your family would give this first name. The count is for 2026 on this site. It is not the civil registry, and it is not babies registered in 2024. One browser can choose a name once in the year.
No family on this site has marked Bernard for 2026 yet.
Bernard with common surname pairs
Each pair is a mother's maiden surname plus a father's surname. The number is the sound-fit score for this first name.
Related boy names
About the name Bernard
How do I use Bernard with two Filipino surnames?
Bernard is the given name. The full name is Bernard + mother's maiden surname + father's surname. Score a pair from a combination page or the homepage search.
Is Bernard a common boy name in the Philippines?
In the civil registry as of May 2021, Bernard is number 179, with 47,386 records. That is not the 2024 birth list, and it does not say the name is a better choice. How it sounds with both family surnames is a separate score.