Bernard

Bernard derives from the Old High German name Bernhard, composed of the elements bern, meaning bear, and hard, meaning brave or hardy, giving the overall sense of bold as a bear or brave bear. The name was borne by several influential medieval figures, most notably Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the twelfth-century French monk and theologian whose prominence helped spread the name widely across Europe. It was introduced to England by the Normans and remained in steady use throughout the medieval and early modern periods. Related forms include Bernhard in German and Scandinavian use, Bernardo in Italian and Spanish, and the feminine variant Bernarda.