Origin and Meaning of Bernnadette
Meaning & Origin
Brave as a bear
Origin: French - Derived from the Old German name 'Bernhard', where 'bern' means bear and 'hard' means brave or strong.
Interesting Facts
- Bernadette is perhaps best known due to Saint Bernadette Soubirous, who reported visions of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France, in 1858.
- The name has a strong presence in French-speaking regions and countries with significant Catholic populations, due to the association with Saint Bernadette.
- Notable bearers of the name include actress Bernadette Peters, known for her work in musical theater, and Bernadette Chirac, a prominent French politician.
- Bernadette has seen fluctuations in popularity, peaking in the mid-20th century in some English-speaking countries, although it remains a well-recognized name.
- Variations and related names include Bernadetta in Italian and Spanish, and the masculine form Bernard.