- First names from A to Z
- ›
- Girl Names
- ›
- Bernadette
Bernadette
Fact sheet
- Name
- Bernadette
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 4
The French first name Bernadette carries the meaning 'the bear strong'. It is a diminutive form of Bernarde, the feminine variant of the name Bernard.
What does the name Bernadette mean?
Bernadette, a French girl's name, means 'the bear strong'. This name is a variation of Bernarde, the feminine form of Bernard. The origin of the name lies in the old German name Bernhard, which is composed of the Old High German words bero for 'bear' and harti for 'firm, hard, strong'. In France as well as in other French-speaking countries, such as Belgium, Bernadette is a widely used first name. An alternative spelling is Bernadett, which also occurs in Hungary. Other international variants include Bernharda and Bernhardine (German), Bernarda (Spanish, Dutch, South Slavic) as well as Bernadetta (Italian, Polish, Hungarian).
Where does the name Bernadette come from?
The first name Bernadette has Old High German roots and means 'the bear strong'.
How do you pronounce Bernadette?
The name Bernadette consists of four to five syllables and has a sonorous, multifaceted character. In the German pronunciation, it is usually pronounced as 'Ber-na-det-te' [bɛʁnaˈdɛtə], with the syllables being softly and clearly emphasized. The ending '-ette' gives it a fine, almost French touch. Bernadette radiates tradition and dignity – feminine, differentiated, and with gentle determination.
When is the name day of Bernadette?
The main name days for Bernadette are April 16 (in France, February 18) in honor of Saint Bernadette Soubirous, as well as August 20, when Saint Bernard of Clairvaux is celebrated.
Popularity
The name Bernadette has been present in Germany from the beginning, but initially mostly remained within the range of the top 100 to top 250. In the 1920s to 1950s, it showed a comparatively solid popularity, but the name never reached the top ranks of first names. During this time, Bernadette was more known as an established name. Notably, the name had its best phase in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Nicknames & pet names
Bente / Berna / Berne / Bernett / Berni / Bernie / Bernies / Bernilein / Bette / Betty / Bärchen / Börnadette / Dettchen / Dette / Detti / Detty / Nadett / Nadette / Nadi
Similar first names
Bernadeta
Famous people
- Bernadette (Saint of Lourdes)
- Bernadette Caulfield (American film producer)
- Bernadette Chirac (wife of Jacques Chirac)
- Bernadette Flynn (Irish dancer)
- Bernadette Flynn-O`Kane (lead dancer of Michael Flatley's 'Lord of the Dance')
- Bernadette Geyer (American writer)
- Bernadette Heerwagen (German actress)
- Bernadette Kanter (French artist)
- Bernadette Karpf (ice hockey player from Germany)
- Bernadette la Hengst (singer, musician, and artist)
- Bernadette Manca di Nissa (Italian opera singer)
- Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz (character from The Big Bang Theory)
- Bernadette Nolan (Irish singer)
- Bernadette Ofarrell (Irish actress)
- Bernadette Pajer (writer)
- Bernadette Perrin-Riou (mathematician from France)
- Bernadette Peters (Broadway actress)
- Bernadette Randall (Australian tennis player)
- Bernadette Rauter (Austrian alpine ski racer)
- Bernadette Roberts (American writer)
Frequently asked questions about the name Bernadette
What does the name Bernadette mean?
The name Bernadette means 'the bear strong' and has Old High German roots. It is composed of the elements for 'bear' and 'firm, strong'.
What nicknames are there for Bernadette?
There are numerous affectionate nicknames for the name Bernadette, such as Bärchen, Bente, Berna, or Berni. These variations offer a personal address and are often popular in family settings.
Is Bernadette an internationally used name?
Yes, the name Bernadette is widespread in many countries, especially in France and Belgium. There are also international variants such as Bernarda and Bernadetta.
How is the name Bernadette pronounced?
The name Bernadette is usually pronounced as 'Ber-na-det', with the 't' at the end being clearly audible. However, the emphasis may vary slightly in different language regions.