Bernice is a unique and elegant name with an interesting history and meaning. It is of Latin origin and means "bringing victory." The name Bernice has been used throughout history by several notable figures, but it was popularized in the United States during the early 20th century.
The earliest known use of the name Bernice can be traced back to ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, Bernice was a queen and the wife of King Antiochus II of Syria. She is remembered for her beauty, intelligence, and political acumen, which helped her husband maintain his kingdom's power and influence. After her death, she became revered as a goddess by some cultures.
In the New Testament of the Bible, there is also a woman named Bernice who was the daughter of King Herod Agrippa I and sister to King Herod Agrippa II. She played an important role in political affairs during her time and was known for her wit and charm.
Throughout history, several royal figures have borne the name Bernice. For example, Queen Mary II of England had a close friend named Lady Henrietta Berkeley, whose nickname was "Bernice." This may have contributed to the name's popularity among British royalty during the 17th century.
Despite its historical significance and regal associations, the name Bernice has not been widely used until recently. In fact, it was not even listed in the Social Security Administration's top 1000 names for girls born in the United States between 1900 and 1965. However, since then, its popularity has increased steadily.
Today, Bernice is often associated with strength, sophistication, and elegance, reflecting its meaning of "bringing victory." It is a beautiful and distinctive name that carries a rich history and a powerful message. While it may not be as common as some other names, those who choose to give their daughter the name Bernice are likely to find it a unique and meaningful choice.
The statistics provided show the annual number of births with the name Bernice in the United States from 1880 to 2023. Over this period of 143 years, there has been a significant fluctuation in the popularity of this name.
From 1880 to around the early 1900s, the number of births with the name Bernice was relatively low, ranging from approximately 50 to 200 births per year. However, starting from around 1910, there was a notable increase in its popularity, with over 1700 births recorded that year.
The peak popularity of the name Bernice occurred between 1915 and 1924, during which time more than 6000 births were registered annually. The highest single year for Bernice births was 1924, with 6033 newborns bearing this name.
However, after reaching its zenith in the early 1920s, the popularity of the name Bernice began to decline steadily. By the late 1930s and early 1940s, annual births with this name dropped below 2000.
The trend of decreasing popularity continued throughout the mid-20th century, with fewer than 1000 births per year recorded from the 1950s onwards. From the 1970s until recent years, there have been fewer than 200 Bernice births annually in the United States.
In the past decade (2013-2023), the number of births with the name Bernice has remained relatively stable, with around 50 to 80 births per year. The most recent data available shows that there were 36 births with this name in 2023.
In conclusion, while the name Bernice was quite popular in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly during the 1910s and 1920s, its popularity has since declined significantly. Today, it is relatively uncommon as a baby girl's name in the United States.