Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • All Collections
      • Census & Voter Lists
      • Birth, Marriage & Death
      • Military
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2006-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Bernis

      Origin

      English, Possibly French

      Meaning

      Derived from Bernard, Brave As A Bear

      Variations

      Bernise, Berniss, Bernisha
      The name Bernis has its roots primarily in English, with potential influences from French. It is derived from the name Bernard, which is composed of the elements bern, meaning bear, and hard, meaning brave or strong. Consequently, Bernis can be interpreted to mean brave as a bear. This etymology highlights themes of courage and strength, traits that have been valued throughout various cultures and historical contexts.

      Historically, the name Bernard gained prominence in medieval Europe, particularly after the influence of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a prominent figure in the 12th century known for his piety and leadership in the Cistercian monastic movement. The name, and its derivatives, including Bernis, have appeared in numerous historical texts and documents. Over time, variations of the name evolved across different regions, reflecting local languages and cultures while retaining the core meanings associated with bravery and strength.

      In contemporary society, the name Bernis is not as widely recognized as Bernard but retains a presence in various cultural contexts. While it may not be among the most common names, Bernis is occasionally used and can be found in both personal and artistic realms, including literature and music. Its unique sound and rich connotations continue to appeal to some parents seeking names with historical depth and strong meanings, making it a distinctive choice in today's diverse naming landscape.

      Based on our records...

      Brown

      Brown

      This is the most common surname associated with Bernis.
      Charles

      Charles

      This is the most common name of those married to a Bernis.
      Bernis

      Bernis

      This is the most common name for a child of a Bernis.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1916 is when there were the most people born with the first name Bernis.

      Explore the origins of another name.