Holding steady.
Popularity of Berna since 1895
Babies named Berna per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 14 |
| 1910s | 133 |
| 1920s | 308 |
| 1930s | 299 |
| 1940s | 294 |
| 1950s | 248 |
| 1960s | 124 |
| 1970s | 31 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Berna is a name with uncertain origins and multiple possible derivations. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1895, and its peak year was 1929, during the 1920s decade. Since then, its usage has been stable but low, and it has not ranked in recent years. The name may be a feminine form of Bernard, meaning 'brave as a bear,' or a short form of Bernadette. Berna offers a vintage, no-frills sound that fits with retro naming trends.
Berna may have multiple origins. It is often considered a feminine variant of Bernard, derived from the Germanic elements 'bern' (bear) and 'hard' (brave, hardy), thus 'brave as a bear.' Alternatively, it can be an Irish name, a short form of Bernadette, which itself is the feminine form of Bernard. In some cases, it may also be a variant of the Hebrew name Bernice, meaning 'bearer of victory.' The name saw modest use in the United States in the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bernie
Variants: Bernie, Bernadette, Bernice
Sibling names for Berna
Names that share Berna's style, for a brother or sister.
