"bringer of victory"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Bernice
Pronunciation: [ b-ern-EES ]
Does Bernice flow with your last name?
A queen's name meaning 'bringer of victory,' written in the stars
English
American
Jewish
Greek
Vintage
Classic
Strong
Literary
Bold
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Meaning & Origin
"she who brings victory"
Origin: Macedonian Greek
Language: Greek
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The Story of Bernice
Bernice is the English form of the ancient Greek Berenice (Βερενίκη), derived from the Macedonian Greek words 'pherein' (to bring) and 'nike' (victory)—meaning 'she who brings victory.' The name was popular among the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, who were Macedonian Greeks, and was borne by several queens and princesses. It reached the English-speaking world via the Bible: Bernice (Berenice) appears in the Acts of the Apostles (25:13) as the sister of King Agrippa II before whom the Apostle Paul defended himself.
Bernice was a common American name in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly popular in the 1910s–1940s, and was somewhat in decline by the late 20th century. It is now experiencing the same vintage revival as names like Mabel, Hazel, and Ethel—rediscovered by parents who appreciate its history and the charming nickname Bernie. F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1920 short story 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' gave the name enduring literary association.
Queen Berenice II of Egypt (3rd century BCE) was so devoted to her husband Ptolemy III that when he went to war, she cut her hair and offered it to Aphrodite for his safe return. When the hair disappeared from the temple, the court astronomer Conon declared it had been placed among the stars—giving us the constellation Coma Berenices (Berenice's Hair), one of the few constellations named for a historical person.
Historical Record
Bernice first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 23,829 babies have been named Bernice in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bernice is past its peak , currently ranked #3,814 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The constellation Coma Berenices (Berenice's Hair) is named after Queen Berenice II of Egypt, whose devoted sacrifice of her hair to the gods was commemorated in the night sky
- F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1920 short story 'Bernice Bobs Her Hair' made Bernice a symbol of the Jazz Age's social warfare among young women
Bernice in Other Languages
Greek
Βερενίκη
Latin
Berenice
French
Bérénice
German
Berenike
Hebrew
ברניקי
Italian
Berenice
Spanish
Berenice
Popularity Over Time
#3,814
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Bernice
B
Bernice King
Activist
1963
American minister, lawyer, and activist; youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, CEO of The Kin...
American minister, lawyer, and activist; youngest child of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, CEO of The King Center in Atlanta
Q
Queen Berenice II of Egypt
Royalty
Ptolemaic queen of Egypt whose devotion to her husband Ptolemy III led to the naming of the constellation Coma Berenices...
Ptolemaic queen of Egypt whose devotion to her husband Ptolemy III led to the naming of the constellation Coma Berenices (Berenice's Hair)
B
Bernice (Biblical figure)
Royalty
Princess Berenice of Judaea, daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who appeared before Roman Procurator Festus and Paul the Apost...
Princess Berenice of Judaea, daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who appeared before Roman Procurator Festus and Paul the Apostle as described in Acts 25 of the New Testament
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Compare Bernice with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,814
- Total SSA Count
- 39
- Cultural Origins
- English American Jewish Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Bernie
Berni
Bea
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bernice
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Bernice is also used as a boy name, ranked #19777.
View Bernice as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bernice
What does the name Bernice mean?
"bringer of victory" (from Greek). "she who brings victory" (from Macedonian Greek). Bernice is the English form of the ancient Greek Berenice (Βερενίκη), derived from the Macedonian Greek words 'pherein' (to bring) and 'nike' (victory)—meaning 'she who brings victory.' The name was popular among the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt, who were Macedonian Greeks, and was borne by several queens and princesses. It reached the English-speaking world via the Bible: Bernice (Berenice) appears in the Acts of the Apostles (25:13) as the sister of King Agrippa II before whom the Apostle Paul defended himself.
What is the origin of the name Bernice?
Bernice has Greek, Macedonian Greek, English, American, and Jewish origins. In Greek, it means "bringer of victory". In Macedonian Greek, it means "she who brings victory".
Is Bernice a boy or girl name?
Bernice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3814. As a boy name, it is ranked #19777. Bernice is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Bernice?
Bernice is pronounced b-ern-EES.
How popular is the name Bernice?
Bernice is currently ranked #3814 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Bernice?
Common nicknames for Bernice include Bernie, Berni, and Bea.
What are good middle names for Bernice?
Popular middle name pairings include Bernice Mae, Bernice Claire, Bernice Rose, Bernice Elizabeth, Bernice Jane, Bernice Louise, and Bernice Ruth.
What are good sibling names for Bernice?
Names that pair well with Bernice as siblings include Mabel, Sylvia, Dorothy, Clarence, Walter, Harriet, and Agnes.
How many syllables does Bernice have?
Bernice has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Bernice a common or rare name?
Bernice is an uncommon name, ranked #3814 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Bernice?
Are there other spellings for Bernice?
Related spellings include Bernadette.
About the Name Bernice
Bernice is a girl name with English, American, Jewish, and Greek origins . The name means "bringer of victory" in Greek .
Is Bernice a boy or girl name? Bernice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,814 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,777. Bernice is more commonly used as a girl name.
Bernice is currently ranked #3,814 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Bernice has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-ern-EES, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Bernice include Bernie, Berni, and Bea. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Bernice include Bernadette . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis