Barnard Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Barnard has its origins in Old French, derived from the elements meaning 'brave as a bear'. It evolved through several languages, including Old High German and Latin. The name is associated with strength and bravery, with no direct biblical relevance. It saw increased popularity during the medieval period due to the influence of Saint Bernard. Variants include Bernard and Barney, and while it is less common today, it maintains a classic image, associated with notable figures in history.
The name Barnard is most popular in Georgia, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Baby Boomers generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Barnard has been stalled for male in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in South. Across generations, 'Barnard' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2047th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2470th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2260th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3132nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 8634th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 22675th out of 24088 names. Discover how the name 'Barnard' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Barnard"
Pronunciation
/ˈbɑrnərd/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Barnard is derived from the Old French name 'Bernard', which itself comes from the Germanic elements 'bern' meaning 'bear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong'.
Meaning
Brave as a bear
Language Evolution
Bernard (Old French), Bernhard (Old High German), Bernardus (Latin), Barnard (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Barnard gained popularity in medieval Europe, especially in France and England, due to the veneration of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Bernard, Barnabas, Barney
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Barnard is seen as a traditional name with historical significance. It is less common today but retains a classic appeal.
Famous People
Barnard Hughes - American actor, Barnard College - named after the name's historical significance and legacy
Explore More Barnard Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Barnard"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Barnard"
"Barnard" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2047th of 7545 | 247 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2470th of 6773 | 174 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2260th of 7552 | 246 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3132nd of 10718 | 169 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 8634th of 16616 | 48 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 22675th of 24088 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Barnard" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
77.71% 2217th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Barnard" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Barnard"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Barnard" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.