Holding steady.
Popularity of Burnard since 1912
Babies named Burnard per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 46 |
| 1920s | 121 |
| 1930s | 83 |
| 1940s | 52 |
| 1950s | 23 |
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Burnard is a rare given name that saw its modest peak in 1925, the only year for which the Social Security Administration recorded more than a handful of births. The name's trajectory has been stable but extremely low, with no recent revival. Though its etymology is uncertain, it is most often considered a variant of Bernard, a name of Germanic origin meaning 'brave as a bear', or of the surname Burnet, derived from Old French for 'brown'. Its scarcity means it has never appeared in the top 1000, and it remains a distinctive choice for those seeking an unusual vintage name. The data shows no strong association with any particular state, reflecting its national rarity.
Burnard is likely a variant of Bernard, which derives from the Old German elements 'bern' (bear) and 'hard' (brave, hardy), meaning 'brave as a bear'. Alternatively, it may be a variant of Burnet, an old diminutive of the French brun (brown). The name has been in sporadic use in the United States since at least the early 20th century, with a peak in the 1920s, but has always been extremely rare.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Bernie
Sibling names for Burnard
Names that share Burnard's style, for a brother or sister.
