Barnard
Below 5 births
About Barnard
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.
Pronounced BAR-nurd.
As of October 2026, Barnard ranked #8583 in US births in 1998 SSA, peaked at #981 in 1891.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | 0 |
Barnard on lists
Famous Barnards
- Barnard Hughes
American character actor
- Barnard Elliott Bee
Jr., American Civil War general
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