Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Bernardino since 1911
Babies named Bernardino per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1974, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Bernardino's real moment was 1911.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 64 |
| 1920s | 161 |
| 1930s | 134 |
| 1940s | 125 |
| 1950s | 141 |
| 1960s | 168 |
| 1970s | 201 |
| 1980s | 214 |
| 1990s | 189 |
| 2000s | 148 |
| 2010s | 82 |
| 2020s | 22 |
Meaning & origin
Bernardino is a rare and distinctly masculine name in the United States, first recorded in 1911. Its peak year was also 1911, when it ranked 4,216, but it has never re-entered the top 1000. The name has been on a downward trajectory since 1985, reflecting a broader shift away from traditional Italian and Spanish diminutives. Despite its obscurity in the U.S., Bernardino remains a familiar name in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, often associated with Saint Bernardino of Siena. It carries a strong, warm nickname potential with options like Bernie and Dino, making it a choice for parents seeking a heritage name with a gentle meaning.
Bernardino is an Italian, Spanish and Portuguese diminutive of Bernard, which derives from the Germanic elements 'ber(n)o' meaning 'bear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave, hardy'. The name was popularized by Saint Bernardino of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan missionary. It has been used in Italian and Spanish-speaking countries for centuries, often as a given name in its own right.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bernie, Dino, Berni, Nino
Variants: Bernardino, Bernardyn
Sibling names for Bernardino
Names that share Bernardino's style, for a brother or sister.
