Bernita Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Bernita is a name of Latin and Old German origin, meaning 'brave as a bear'. It evolved from the name Bernard and has historical forms like Bernard. The name is associated with strength and courage, though it lacks significant biblical relevance. It saw increased usage in the United States in the 20th century and is perceived as vintage today, with variations including Bernie and Bernadine.
The name Bernita is most popular in Kansas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the G.I. Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Bernita has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Bernita' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 926th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 905th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1150th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2107th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6239th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 30690th out of 35406 names. Discover how the name 'Bernita' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Bernita"
Pronunciation
/bərˈniːtə/
Origin
Latin and Old German
Etymology
The name Bernita is derived from the Germanic elements 'bern' meaning 'bear' and 'hild' meaning 'battle'. It is often considered a feminine diminutive of the name Bernard.
Meaning
Brave as a bear
Language Evolution
Bernard, Bernita
Historical Usage
The name Bernita gained popularity in the United States during the early to mid-20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Bernie, Bernadine, Bernita
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Bernita is considered somewhat vintage and is less common among younger generations, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
Famous People
Bernita McCoy, an American politician, Bernita Johnson, an influential educator
Explore More Bernita Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Bernita"
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 "Bernita"
"Bernita" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 926th of 9107 | 1,073 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 905th of 9204 | 1,175 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 1150th of 12526 | 1,518 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2107th of 19264 | 642 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 6239th of 27321 | 202 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 30690th of 35406 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Bernita" by Generation for Male 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Bernita" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
36.37% 515th/1416 |
- |
88.93% 2104th/2366 |
94.57% 1080th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
38.16% 590th/1546 |
87.85% 1367th/1556 |
67.96% 1599th/2353 |
100.00% 1547th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
46.83% 1043rd/2227 |
60.70% 1475th/2430 |
43.08% 1229th/2853 |
61.87% 1717th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
58.87% 1729th/2937 |
- |
54.21% 1907th/3518 |
- |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Bernita"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Bernita" 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.