Bernardita

Bernardita is a Spanish feminine diminutive of Bernarda, itself the feminine form of Bernardo, derived from the Old High German name Bernhard, composed of the elements bern, meaning bear, and hard, meaning brave or strong. The name thus carries the sense of bold as a bear or strong as a bear. It is closely associated with Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, whose name Bernadette is the French equivalent, lending Bernardita a strong devotional resonance in Catholic Spanish-speaking cultures. Related forms include Bernarda, Bernadette, and Bernhard.