Details for the forename Bernard

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Bernard (male)


Synonym(s):	Brian (M)
Variants:	Bearnard (M) Bernardino (M) Bernardo (M) Bernat (M) Bernd (M) Berndt (M) Bernhard (M) Bernhardt (M) Bernt (M)
Pet Name(s):	Barney (M) Barny (M) Bernie (M)
Derivative of:	Beornheard (M)
Feminine form:	Bearnas (F) Bernadette (F) Bernardette (F)

Source(s):	The Oxford Names Companion, OUP "Scottish Forenames" - Donald Whyte, FGH, FSG Rootsweb Y-IRL Discussion Group [BM² & KD]
Notes:	English and French, from the Old German "stern/brave/noble bear". The Old English name was Beornheard. A correspondent [BM²] has noted that Brian and Bernard can be interchangeable, especially in Irish Catholic families. A correspondent [KD] suggests the reason is that Bernard is a recognized Catholic saint whereas Brian is not.