Bernardette is a feminine given name of French origin. It is derived from the Germanic male name Bernhard, which consists of the elements "bern" meaning "bear" and "hard" meaning "strong, brave". Therefore, Bernardette can be translated to mean "strong as a bear".
The name Bernardette has been used in France for centuries and was particularly popular during the Middle Ages. It is often associated with Saint Bernadette Soubirous, a French peasant girl who claimed to have had visions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858. These events led to the establishment of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, which remains an important pilgrimage destination today.
Despite its origins and historical significance, Bernardette is not typically considered a religious name. Instead, it is often chosen for its unique sound and meaning. In recent years, the name has seen a resurgence in popularity in France and other French-speaking countries, although it remains relatively rare elsewhere. Overall, Bernardette is a charming and distinctive name with a rich history and meaningful origins.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Bernardette in the United States from 1935 to 1995. Over this period, there were a total of 232 births.
The years with the highest number of Bernardette births were:
* 1964 with 12 births
* 1969 with 11 births
These peaks suggest that these specific years may have had some cultural significance or popularity for the name Bernardette in the United States.
Conversely, there are several years where only a single Bernardette was born:
* 1935, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1986, and 1995
These low numbers indicate that the name Bernardette was not commonly used in those years.
Overall, while Bernardette was not one of the most popular names during this period, it was consistently present among baby girls' names each year. The data also shows variations over time, which could provide interesting insights for further research on naming trends and culture.