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Original poster

Bernice

43 replies

Happysurprise · 24/02/2013 15:49

OK, immediate reactions are usually awful but say it over a few times and it grows on you.....

Reasons I like it:

  • sounds unusual and a little french (dont think it is)
  • I like the nn of Bea or Bunny or even Bernie (kind of cute and tomboyish, cheeky)
  • it means to bring victory
  • origin is Greek, so it has some classic roots (although its not the original form)
  • I liked the book Bernice Bobs Her Hair by Scott Fitzgerald

What do you think?

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scarlettsmummy2 · 24/02/2013 18:31

Bernie is very popular in Ireland for women in their fifties!

TidyDancer · 24/02/2013 18:08

Bunny is a generic nn for all B names, it's not specific to Bernice.

I've known a number of people named Bernice, and they've all used Bernie as a nn. Bunny just makes me think of Charlotte's evil MIL in SATC.

FellatioNels0n · 24/02/2013 18:06

I quite like it. but I much prefer Bernadette.

MolotovCocktail · 24/02/2013 18:05

According to Nameberry, Bunny is a usual NN for Bernice, as is Binnie. Still doesn't make it work for me, though.

TidyDancer · 24/02/2013 18:02

It's a really nice name, but Bea and Bunny are not really nicknames of it. Bea is Beatrice and I think Bunny is just generic isn't it? Bernie is the standard nickname, which is quite pretty IMO.

Bare in mind it's quite a dated name now, which doesn't bother me tbh, but it would some. The youngest Bernice I know is in her 60s.

PuddingWhine · 24/02/2013 17:49

No, it won't grow on me. There are names of that era which are pre-old lady and I could be persuaded to like many of them, even Beryl, Meryl, Miriam, Norah... but no not Berenice. or Bernice. She'd end up being Bernie which is just dreadful. I always felt a bit sorry for Bernies growing up and I knew a few. It was short for Bernadette, but that's another name I could say a hundred times and it would never grow on me.

vitaminC · 24/02/2013 17:46

I much prefer the French name Bérénice!

perplexedpirate · 24/02/2013 17:45

Just checked, yes it was.
Not a great association...

perplexedpirate · 24/02/2013 17:44

Isn't it the vicar from League of Gentlemen?
If not, that's what it reminds me of.

MolotovCocktail · 24/02/2013 17:43

To be a bit more helpful, there's a great website here:

nameberry.com/babyname/Bernice

that gives lots of links to suitable alternatives to Bernice, including the literary connection that you mentioned (if you want an alternative, that is.)

eachtigertires · 24/02/2013 17:30

It's not terrible but I don't like it personally.

Sashapineapple · 24/02/2013 17:16

Sorry I think it's awful and doesn't sound nice at all.

MolotovCocktail · 24/02/2013 17:14

First thing that comes to my mind when I think of Bernice is: Bernard.

It's a clunky, unfeminine name to my ears, sorry OP.

There are so many more lovlier names for baby girls, please think of something else.

BigGiantCowWithAKnockKnockTail · 24/02/2013 15:55

It was years ago. Not horrible, just quite annoying. She's the only Bernice I've ever come across.

Original poster
Happysurprise · 24/02/2013 15:55

Haha, I have no idea what Thomas and the magic railroad is....off to google again.

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Original poster
Happysurprise · 24/02/2013 15:54

I just googled Bernice Emmerdale - is she a horrible character? I dont think that would bother me even if she was as I dont watch it.

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 24/02/2013 15:53

No.

Wasn't the Grandpa in Thomas and the magic railroad called Bernice?

BigGiantCowWithAKnockKnockTail · 24/02/2013 15:50

I've tried saying it a few times but I'm afraid I just can't get past the Emmerdale barmaid. Sorry.