"bear"
Origin: Germanic
Language: German
Behr
Pronunciation: [ b-EHR ]
Does Behr flow with your last name?
A fierce Germanic one-syllable with Ashkenazi roots
German
Jewish/Ashkenazi
American
Strong
Bold
Earthy
Vintage
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Behr
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Meaning & Origin
"bear (totem name)"
Origin: Yiddish
Language: Yiddish
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The Story of Behr
Behr is the Germanic and Yiddish word for 'bear,' from the Old High German 'bero' and Yiddish 'ber.' In Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition, Behr (or Ber/Baer) was a commonly used Yiddish name — often paired with the Hebrew name Dov (also meaning bear) — given to boys as a totem name invoking the bear's strength, courage, and protective power. Many Ashkenazi surnames derive from this name: Behrman, Bernstein, Bernhard.
Behr as a standalone given name is experiencing a modern revival as parents seek nature-inspired, single-syllable names with both punch and depth. Similar to Bear (as used by celebrities like Alicia Silverstone), Behr offers the same powerful animal imagery with a more traditional Germanic-Jewish spelling that honors Ashkenazi heritage.
In Ashkenazi Jewish culture, Dov-Ber or simply Ber/Behr was one of the traditional totem names given to invoke bear-like strength. The Baal Shem Tov's disciple Dov Ber of Mezeritch was one of the most important figures in Hasidic Judaism. The bear is a powerful symbol across Germanic and Norse cultures as well.
Historical Record
Behr first appeared in US Social Security records in 2007.
Over 303 babies have been named Behr in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Behr is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,941 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Behr/Ber was one of the most common Ashkenazi Jewish names in medieval and early modern Europe
- The Hasidic leader Dov Ber of Mezeritch (known as the Great Maggid) was perhaps the most famous bearer of this name
- Many common surnames derive from this name: Bernstein, Behrman, Bernhard, Berent
Behr in Other Languages
German
Bär
Hebrew
דּוֹב (Dov)
Russian
Медведь
Swedish
Björn
Yiddish
בֵּר (Ber)
Popularity Over Time
#5,941
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Behr
B
Bear Grylls
Entertainer
1974
British adventurer and TV host known for Man vs. Wild; his real first name is Edward but he goes by Bear
B
Behr Lowitz
Scientist
1755
German-Russian chemist and member of the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences
D
Dov Ber of Mezeritch
Religious
1704
Known as the Great Maggid, he was the primary successor to the Baal Shem Tov and spread Hasidic Judaism across Europe
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Compare Behr with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #5,941
- Total SSA Count
- 15
- Cultural Origins
- German Jewish/Ashkenazi American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Behr
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Behr
What does the name Behr mean?
"bear" (from Germanic). "bear (totem name)" (from Yiddish). Behr is the Germanic and Yiddish word for 'bear,' from the Old High German 'bero' and Yiddish 'ber.' In Ashkenazi Jewish naming tradition, Behr (or Ber/Baer) was a commonly used Yiddish name — often paired with the Hebrew name Dov (also meaning bear) — given to boys as a totem name invoking the bear's strength, courage, and protective power. Many Ashkenazi surnames derive from this name: Behrman, Bernstein, Bernhard.
What is the origin of the name Behr?
Behr has Germanic, Yiddish, German, Jewish/Ashkenazi, and American origins. In Germanic, it means "bear". In Yiddish, it means "bear (totem name)".
Is Behr a boy or girl name?
Behr is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Behr?
Behr is pronounced b-EHR.
How popular is the name Behr?
Behr is currently ranked #5941 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Behr?
Popular middle name pairings include Behr William, Behr James, Behr Thomas, Behr Alexander, Behr Henry, Behr Felix, and Behr Solomon.
What are good sibling names for Behr?
Names that pair well with Behr as siblings include Wolf, Fox, Asher, Ezra, Liesel, Maren, and Reuben.
How many syllables does Behr have?
Behr has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Behr a common or rare name?
Behr is an uncommon name, ranked #5941 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Behr
Behr is a boy name with German, Jewish/Ashkenazi, and American origins . The name means "bear" in Germanic .
Behr is currently ranked #5,941 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Behr has 1 syllable and is pronounced b-EHR, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
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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