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

Thoughts on the name Bernard?

67 replies

Dandani · 16/03/2020 08:14

Thoughts on the name Bernard? It's in the family and it's not one I've ever came across so I dont have much of an opinion but oh got it as a middle name from his grandfather and our other 2 kids both have names from the family in their names

OP posts:
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OnlyFoolsnMothers · 16/03/2020 08:16

I’ve probably read too much “not now Bernard” Grin

Whatsyourflava · 16/03/2020 08:20

Maybe better as a middle name

MrsMozartMkII · 16/03/2020 08:27

Fine as a middle name.

DoctorBambino · 16/03/2020 08:30

Another one for 'Not now Bernard!'

Dandani · 16/03/2020 08:33

I have no idea what not now Bernard means, I guess that's a bad thing lol?

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 16/03/2020 08:52

Nothing sinister OP, it’s a children’s book
www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Now-Bernard-David-McKee/dp/1783442905?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

parrotonmyshoulder · 16/03/2020 08:54

I love it because of Shirley Hughes’ Alfie books. And I love Deborah because of the Mog books. Would love to meet babies with these names.
I know a 19 year old Bernard - Bernie - he’s very cool.

pigcon1 · 16/03/2020 08:56

Not now Bernard front of mind...

Dandani · 16/03/2020 09:04

Ahh I see now, strange I've never heard of the book

OP posts:
Veterinari · 16/03/2020 09:21

Awful

MySonIsAlsoNamedBort · 16/03/2020 09:22

Bernard Black from Black Books come to mind Grin

SoupDragon · 16/03/2020 09:25

Is that "BERnud" or "berNARD"? I don't much like the latter.

I want to hate it but I don't 😂 It seems really old fashioned in a tweed jacket with leather elbow patches kind of way but equally

I kind of like it.

WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 16/03/2020 09:27

Pretty common in America, as is Derek / Brian. I can't imagine a baby Derek.

Fwiw I quite like it, my Uncle Bernard goes by Bernie.

ColdCottage · 16/03/2020 09:28

No

user1493494961 · 16/03/2020 09:28

Choose it as a middle name.

user1333796 · 16/03/2020 09:32

It makes me think of Alfie's best friend in the Shirley Hughes books, and that is a good association to me (even though he's depicted as spirited). I quite like it.

FenellaMaxwell · 16/03/2020 09:34

It’s a great book! There’s also a good one called Be More Bernard’. I like the name.

Patch23042 · 16/03/2020 09:38

Due a revival! I also like the nicknames Bernie and Bern.

Atla · 16/03/2020 09:47

Quite like it! Bern for short?

MikeUniformMike · 16/03/2020 09:49

I know a nice Bernard in his 20s.

AllTheWhoresOfMalta · 16/03/2020 10:14

Know that Richard Curtis makes a point of always naming a dopy character Bernard in all of his films.

tiktoktik · 16/03/2020 10:17

Richard Curtis (I think it was him anyway!) had a girlfriend cheat on him with a Bernard. In most of his films there's a derogatory character caller Bernard.

Isthistrueor · 16/03/2020 10:36

It would be ok as a middle name but I wouldn’t inflict it on a 21st century kid as a first name.

RoseMartha · 16/03/2020 10:37

Not keen but as family name would use as middle name

HarrietM87 · 16/03/2020 10:57

@tiktoktik that’s right. And the Bernard in question is the MP Bernard Jenkin!

I think it’s quite a cool name, and Bernie is cute.

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