Bernhard
Every Bernhard since 1880 — 1,671 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bernhard
Bernhard is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1880, 1,671 American babies have been named Bernhard. Its peak came in 1916, when 55 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Bernhard stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bernhard year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 6 | #10,966 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | 5 | #12,510 |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | #12,310 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | #12,461 |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #11,561 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #10,749 |
| 2000 | 5 | #10,543 |
| 1995 | 5 | #9,007 |
| 1990 | 6 | #7,271 |
| 1985 | 7 | #5,200 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 16 | #2,306 |
| 1965 | 22 | #1,672 |
| 1960 | 21 | #1,778 |
| 1955 | 14 | #2,152 |
| 1950 | 18 | #1,749 |
| 1945 | 12 | #2,016 |
| 1940 | 20 | #1,523 |
| 1935 | 19 | #1,591 |
| 1930 | 27 | #1,400 |
| 1925 | 28 | #1,393 |
| 1920 | 45 | #1,037 |
| 1915 | 41 | #980 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,207 |
| 1905 | 7 | #1,011 |
| 1900 | 5 | #1,332 |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,094 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 8 | #685 |
Famous people named Bernhard
- Bernhard Riemann Mathematician · 1826–1866
- Bernhard von Bülow Politician · 1849–1929
- Bernhard Schlink Writer · b. 1944
- Bernhard Rust Politician · 1883–1945
- Bernhard Crusell Composer · 1775–1838
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bernhard in 2025?
Bernhard did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Bernhard?
1,671 babies have been named Bernhard in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bernhard most popular?
Bernhard peaked in 1916, when 55 newborns received the name.
Is Bernhard a boy or girl name?
Bernhard is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bernhard rising or falling?
Bernhard is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Bernhard?
Well-known people named Bernhard include Bernhard Riemann (mathematician), Bernhard von Bülow (politician), Bernhard Schlink (writer).