Bernardine

Meaning of Bernardine

Bernardine, pronounced ber-nar-DEEN, is the graceful, sturdy sister of Bernard—rooted in the old Germanic words for “bear” and “brave.” With echoes of St. Bernardine of Siena’s warmhearted preaching and a playful whisper of teddy-bear courage, it carries an uplifting blend of faith and fortitude. Once tucked into birth records across Wisconsin in the 1920s and ’30s—rare enough to feel like a secret handshake—the name Bernardine now shines as a hidden gem. Parents who choose it invite a legacy of gentle strength and timeless charm, as comforting as a cozy hearth on a crisp autumn evening and as bold as a bear’s first brave step.