By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 755 pages
of 755
Basque
"variation of Bernard"
This Basque name is more unusual and attractive than the grandfather-ish Bernard.
Berngards is a masculine name that appears to be a variant of Bernard, which has Germanic origins combining the elements 'bern' meaning 'bear' and 'hard' meaning 'brave' or 'strong.' This particular…
Bernon is a masculine name with Germanic roots, likely derived from elements meaning 'bear' (bern) and possibly 'strength' or 'protection.' It can be considered a variant of names like Vernon or…
English
"bear rule"
Berold is one of the more obscure boy names meaning bear, which also include Arthur, Orson, and (in a different vein) Teddy.
Berholt is an uncommon masculine name with Germanic roots. It likely derives from elements similar to those in names like Berthold or Berchtold, where 'berht' means 'bright' or 'famous' and 'hold'…
Swedish
"mountain twig"
Few Scandinavian names make the journey to America...and this one shows you why. Still, names such as Freya and Odin are making an unlikely comeback, so we wouldn't count any of the Scandinavian baby…
Bergquist is a surname of Swedish origin that has occasionally been adopted as a masculine given name. The name combines the Swedish elements 'berg' meaning 'mountain' and 'quist' or 'kvist' meaning…
Burty is a masculine name that typically functions as a diminutive or nickname for names like Burton, Burt, or Albert. With English origins, it carries a friendly, approachable quality with its…
German
"bright strength"
One bright spot: famous namesake Threepenny Opera playwright Berthold (later known as Bertolt) Brecht.
Bertoll is an uncommon masculine name with Germanic roots. It likely developed as a variant of names like Berthold or Bertold, which combine the Old Germanic elements 'beraht' meaning 'bright' or…
Bertell is a masculine name with Germanic roots, likely a variant or diminutive form of names containing the element "bert," which means "bright" or "famous." This element appears in many classic…
Bertolde is a masculine name with Germanic origins, derived from elements meaning 'bright' or 'famous' (bert) and 'ruler' or 'power' (old/wald). It's a variant of the more common Berthold, which was…
Bertold is a Germanic name with medieval origins, derived from elements meaning "bright" or "famous" and "rule" or "leader." Variants include Berthold and Bertholdt. The name was popular among…
Bertol is a masculine name with Germanic origins, likely a variant of Berthold or Berthold, derived from elements meaning 'bright' or 'famous' (berht) and 'rule' or 'govern' (wald). This concise form…
Berthoud is an uncommon masculine name of French origin, primarily recognized as a surname and place name rather than a first name. It derives from ancient Germanic elements 'berht' meaning 'bright'…
Bertil is a masculine Scandinavian name with strong Nordic roots, particularly popular in Sweden and Norway. It derives from the Old Norse name Bertulfr, combining elements meaning 'bright' or…
"fortified town"
Bertin is a masculine name of Germanic and French origin, functioning as a diminutive form of names like Albert, Bertrand, or Robert. The name contains the Old German element "beraht" meaning…
Beltrán is a masculine name of Germanic origin that traveled into Spanish-speaking countries. It derives from the Germanic elements 'berht' meaning 'bright' or 'famous' and 'hraban' meaning 'raven,'…
French from German
"magnificent crow"
This name of famed philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell becomes slightly more plausible with the French pronunciation, bare-TRAHN. Another noted bearer is French director…
