Bernard vs Ilan

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Bernard

Boy #1,320 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"brave bear, strong as a bear"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English French German European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,320
Total SSA Count
147
Syllables
2
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Bernie, Bern, Barney

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Bernard →

Popularity Comparison

Bernard Rank #1,320
Ilan Rank #1,450

Bernard is more popular, ranked #1320 vs #1450 for Ilan.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Bernard ___

  • Bernard James
  • Bernard John
  • Bernard Francis
  • Bernard Louis
  • Bernard Thomas
  • Bernard Michael

Ilan ___

  • Ilan Noah
  • Ilan Asher
  • Ilan David
  • Ilan Michael
  • Ilan Joseph
  • Ilan Elijah

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Bernard

Alfred Edmund Dorothy Mildred Gerald

If you choose Ilan

Noa Maya Eli Talia Ariel

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bernard or Ilan more popular?

Bernard is more popular, ranked #1320 compared to Ilan at #1450 in the United States.

What do Bernard and Ilan mean?

Bernard means "brave bear, strong as a bear" (Germanic origin). Ilan means "tree" (Hebrew origin).

Are Bernard and Ilan boy or girl names?

Bernard is primarily a boy name. Ilan is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Bernard ← Full profile: Ilan Browse all baby names