The nameBernadette

Bernadette is the French feminine of Bernard, the name of the visionary of Lourdes.

Meaning

Bernadette comes from Bernard, from the Germanic bern, "bear", and hard, "brave".

Origin

Germanic, through French.

History

Saint Bernadette Soubirous saw the Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858. In the United States Bernadette reached 188th in 1946.

Famous people named Bernadette

Popularity of the name Bernadette

Bernadette in the United States

1248thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
1958peak year (1,494 births)
54,788babies named Bernadette in the United States since 1880
07471,494 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Bernadette was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 10,753 births over the decade, 20% of all recorded babies named Bernadette. Its rise began around 1913, and it peaked in 1958. Half of all babies named Bernadette in the United States were born before 1958, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 183 births a year.

Bernadette in the United Kingdom

1852ndmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
1999peak year (43 births)
504babies named Bernadette in the United Kingdom since 1997
02243 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Bernadette was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 166 births over the decade, 33% of all recorded babies named Bernadette. Half of all babies named Bernadette in the United Kingdom were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers.

Bernadette in Ireland

821stmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
1969peak year (415 births)
5,642babies named Bernadette in Ireland since 1964
0208415 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Bernadette in France

6163rdmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
1949peak year (5,090 births)
141,455babies named Bernadette in France since 1900
02,5455,090 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Bernadette in Austria

1984peak year (191 births)
2,077babies named Bernadette in Austria since 1984
096191 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Bernadette

Names from the same generation as Bernadette, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Bernadette? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Bernadette with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Bernadette side by side with the name of your choice.

Bernadette in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Bernadette mean?

Bernadette comes from Bernard, from the Germanic bern, "bear", and hard, "brave".

What is the origin of the name Bernadette?

Germanic, through French.

Is Bernadette a girl's or a boy's name?

Bernadette is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Bernadette?

In 2024, Bernadette was the 1248th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 186 births.

What are the variants of the name Bernadette?

Variants and related names of Bernadette include Bernard.

What are good sibling names for Bernadette?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Ida, Millicent, Mina and Amalia for a sister, Wolfgang, Henri, Armin and Conrad for a brother.

Who are famous people named Bernadette?

Saint Bernadette Soubirous; Bernadette Peters, actress; Bernadette Devlin, politician.