Bernadette is a female given name of French origin. It is derived from the Germanic word "bern", which means "bear", and the diminutive suffix "-et". Thus, Bernadette can be interpreted as meaning "little bear cub".
The name Bernadette first gained prominence during medieval times in France. It was often used to honor Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a Cistercian abbot and theologian who lived in the 12th century. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that Bernadette became widely popular.
The most famous figure associated with this name is Bernadette Soubirous, a young French woman who claimed to have had visions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes in 1858. These apparitions led to the discovery of a spring, which was later believed to have healing properties. This event greatly contributed to the spread and popularity of the name Bernadette.
Today, Bernadette remains a classic and timeless name with a strong connection to French history and culture. It is often given to girls born into Catholic families or those wishing to honor France's religious heritage. Despite its long history, Bernadette still feels fresh and approachable due to its charming diminutive ending.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Bernadette had a consistent presence in the United States during the years 1962 to 1983. The highest number of births recorded was eight in the year 1967, suggesting that this particular period might have been especially favorable for the name Bernadette among parents choosing names for their newborn daughters.
Throughout these two decades, there were fluctuations in the popularity of the name, with some years seeing more births than others. However, it is clear from the data that the name Bernadette remained relatively stable in terms of its usage as a given name during this period.
Overall, a total of 60 babies born in the United States between 1962 and 1983 were named Bernadette, demonstrating that while not exceptionally popular, the name did maintain a steady presence among parents' choices for their daughters' names.