Bernard??

[spottypyjamas]

Opinions on the name Bernard please? Pronounced BERNerd
Nickname Bernie whilst they are younger.
Love old fashioned names.
Thank u

[squoosh]

I remember reading that Tartyflette (probably on MN) and thinking 'Richard Curtis is clearly obsessed with the Bernard who did him wrong^'.

To be honest, my first though is a RC Bernard, the one in 4 Weddings who's desperate for a shag and then marries the bridesmaid who's also desperate for a shag.

[Ellarose85]

I love it and would've used it if I was having a boy.

It was my Grandads name

[NovemberInDailyFailLand]

I'd think of Bernard Manning, or drunk Bernard Hopkins from Adrian Mole.

[Tartyflette]

The screenwriter/director Richard Curtis always has a character called Bernard in his films - 4W and a F, Notting Hill, Love Actually. And, it seems, Blackadder. It's supposed to be a dig at Bernard Jenkin the (former?) Tory MP whom he dislikes intensely.
Just saying.

[sycamore54321]

Not a fan, I'm afraid, even if I have known several lovely people with that name. I'd also wonder if a Bernard/Bernie born in 2016 was named after Bernie Sanders, which may or may not be a favorable association for you.

For me, Bernie is definitely a woman's name - I still struggle with Sanders!

Leonard seems to have a similar vibe but not quite as frumpy, if you'd like an alternative suggestion.

[OrangesandLemonsNow]

Big no from me.

Sorry

[Mapless]

It's a big no from me - lots of reasons.

Say the name and hear it simply as a sound, without any word associations (IYSWIM). How does it sound?

[Lilacpink40]

Don't like it.
Also don't like nn Ber or Bernie.

If you like 'older' names how about Rufus or Douglas?

[DramaAlpaca]

Hate it, sorry.

[Sophronia]

I like it

[FlossiesFurCoat]

I'm not sure the world is ready for the reinvention of Bernard just yet.

[itmustbemyage]

Bernard is my sons middle name my DH wanted to use it for his first name (it's a family name) I refused. It seems very 'old man's name' to, me my now teenage son does not like it and would never use it in preference to his given first name.

[2ManySweets]

ITV are playing Blue Monday OP! It's a sign!

[KoalaDownUnder]

God no. Awful. (Sorry!)

[MotheringShites]

But I do like it!

[MotheringShites]

Makes me think of the guy in Four Weddings who turns out to be surprisingly good in the sack.

[2ManySweets]

Reminds me of Bernard Sumner from New Order.

A good thing.

[Sleeperandthespindle]

I love it. Annie-Rose's first word.
I know some lovely older Bernards.

[ThornyBird]

Dc2 (13) has best friends Berni and Arnold. It made us smile at first but now they are just names

[Costacoffeeplease]

Snap!

[AuntieStella]

I like it, but can't quite shift the image of Nursie from Blackadder.

[Costacoffeeplease]

Nursey in blackadder or mike and Bernie winters (I'm old)

Neither are great associations for me

[SleepyRoo]

Like

[Katelocks]

I quite like this. It's my BIL's name but he pronounces it the French way (I think), Berr- NARD.

[spottypyjamas]

Ha over and above. That's my husbands favourite film randomly.