Bernard vs Nick

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
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Nick

Boy #1,422 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"victory of the people"

Origin: Greek Nikolaos

Cultural Roots

English American Greek Australian European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,422
Total SSA Count
130
Syllables
1
Formality
Casual

Playground Safety Score

44 High Risk

{:type=>:rhyme_pattern, :severity=>:low, :message=>"'Nick' ending sounds like 'sick/thick/dick'"}

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Popularity Comparison

Bernard Rank #1,320
Nick Rank #1,422

Bernard is more popular, ranked #1320 vs #1422 for Nick.

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

Nick ___

  • Nick James
  • Nick Thomas
  • Nick Alexander
  • Nick Michael
  • Nick Ryan
  • Nick Andrew

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Bernard

Alfred Edmund Dorothy Mildred Gerald

If you choose Nick

Mike Chris Matt Jake Steph

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 Nick more popular?

Bernard is more popular, ranked #1320 compared to Nick at #1422 in the United States.

What do Bernard and Nick mean?

Bernard means "brave bear, strong as a bear" (Germanic origin). Nick means "victory of the people" (Greek Nikolaos origin).

Are Bernard and Nick boy or girl names?

Bernard is primarily a boy name. Nick is primarily a boy name.

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