# Bernard

/ˈbɝnɝd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bernard
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male name

noun · CEFR A1

a common first name for a man.

For teachers: a masculine given name derived from Germanic roots meaning 'brave as a bear'.

- My uncle Bernard has lived in the same house for forty years.
- The biography details the life of Bernard Montgomery, focusing on his strategic leadership during the North African campaign.

### 2. dog breed

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short name for a Saint Bernard, which is a very large and heavy dog.

For teachers: a common clipping of Saint Bernard, referring to the large working dog breed originally bred for rescue.

- The family decided to adopt a Bernard because they had a large garden.
- Although the Bernard is known for its gentle temperament, its sheer physical size requires a dedicated owner with significant living space.

## Examples

- My friend Bernard lives in a small house by the sea.
- The manager introduced us to Bernard, the new head of the accounting department.
- While the name Bernard has declined in popularity among younger generations, it remains a staple of mid-century European nomenclature and carries a sense of traditional reliability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.