Bernard Woodruff

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Bernard Woodruff — Germanic
191K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Bernard Woodruff is a name that combines Germanic origins. The first name Bernard is a masculine given name of Germanic origin. Bernard (Bernhard) is a French and West Germanic masculine given name. It has West Germanic origin and is also a surname. The name is attested from at least the 9th century. West Germanic Bernhard is composed from the two elements bern "bear" and hard "brave, hardy". Its native Old English cognate was Beornheard, which was replaced or merged with the French form Bernard that was brought to England after the Norman Conquest. The name Bernhard was notably popular among Old Frisian speakers. Its wider use was popularized due to Saint Bernhard of Clairvaux (canonized in 1174). The surname Woodruff: Abraham O. Woodruff (1872–1904), member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and son of Wilford Woodruff Blake Woodruff (born 1995), actor Bille Woodruff, video and film director Bob Woodruff, an American journalist Bob Woodruff (American football) former University of Florida and Baylor University head football coach Bob Woodruff (singer), American country musician Bobby Woodruff (born 1940), former professional footballer Brandon Woodruff, American baseball pitcher Carle Augustus Woodruff (1841–1913), U.S. Bernard is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 191K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Bernard reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Bernard

Germanic

Bernard (Bernhard) is a French and West Germanic masculine given name. It has West Germanic origin and is also a surname. The name is attested from at least the 9th century. West Germanic Bernhard is composed from the two elements bern "bear" and hard "brave, hardy". Its native Old English cognate was Beornheard, which was replaced or merged with the French form Bernard that was brought to England after the Norman Conquest. The name Bernhard was notably popular among Old Frisian speakers. Its wider use was popularized due to Saint Bernhard of Clairvaux (canonized in 1174).

Surname: Woodruff

English

Abraham O. Woodruff (1872–1904), member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and son of Wilford Woodruff Blake Woodruff (born 1995), actor Bille Woodruff, video and film director Bob Woodruff, an American journalist Bob Woodruff (American football) former University of Florida and Baylor University head football coach Bob Woodruff (singer), American country musician Bobby Woodruff (born 1940), former professional footballer Brandon Woodruff, American baseball pitcher Carle Augustus Woodruff (1841–1913), U.S.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Bernard is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 51%
United Kingdom 27%
Australia 12%
Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Bernard by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Bernard Woodruff

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Bernard Woodruff:

8
Expression Number

Ambition and material success. Represents power, business acumen and the drive to achieve significant goals.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

5
Personality Number

Freedom and adaptability. A dynamic, versatile personality that embraces change and seeks new experiences.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Bernard?
The first name Bernard originates from Germanic. Bernard (Bernhard) is a French and West Germanic masculine given name. It has West Germanic origin and is also a surname. The name is attested from at least the 9th century. West Germanic Bernhard is composed from the two elements bern "bear" and hard "brave, hardy". Its native Old English cognate was Beornheard, which was replaced or merged with the French form Bernard that was brought to England after the Norman Conquest. The name Bernhard was notably popular among Old Frisian speakers. Its wider use was popularized due to Saint Bernhard of Clairvaux (canonized in 1174).
When was Bernard most popular?
The name Bernard reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Woodruff?
The surname Woodruff originates from English. Abraham O. Woodruff (1872–1904), member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and son of Wilford Woodruff Blake Woodruff (born 1995), actor Bille Woodruff, video and film director Bob Woodruff, an American journalist Bob Woodruff (American football) former University of Florida and Baylor University head football coach Bob Woodruff (singer), American country musician Bobby Woodruff (born 1940), former professional footballer Brandon Woodruff, American baseball pitcher Carle Augustus Woodruff (1841–1913), U.S.
What are the origins of the name Bernard Woodruff?
The name Bernard Woodruff combines two different traditions: the first name Bernard has Germanic roots, while the surname Woodruff originates from English.
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