Barnard

German

"strong, brave as a bear"

Barnard Origin and Meaning

The name Barnard is a boy's name.

Barnard is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from the elements 'bern' meaning 'bear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong,' thus translating to 'brave as a bear' or 'strong bear.' While less common than its variant Bernard, Barnard has historical usage particularly in English-speaking countries. The name appears in medieval records and continues as both a given name and surname. Barnard College in New York (named after Frederick Barnard) has helped maintain recognition of the name. Though never reaching tremendous popularity as a first name, Barnard conveys qualities of strength and courage. It peaked in usage during the early 20th century and carries a dignified, somewhat scholarly connotation in contemporary contexts.

Barnard Rank in US Top 1000

# 981 in the US

Famous People Named Barnard

• Barnard Hughes American character actor
• Barnard Elliott Bee Jr., American Civil War general

The name Barnard in Pop Culture

• Barnard Barnardson character based on art historian Bernard Berenson in "Count Florio and Phyllis K." (1910) by Reginald Turner
• Barnard "Barney" Gumble character on TV's "The Simpsons"
• Barnard College women's school in New York City
• Barnard Castle town in England
• Barnard's Star closest star in the Northern Hemisphere