Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
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.

OP posts:
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.