Bernike is a Greek biblical form of Bernice, itself a contracted variant of Berenice. The name Berenice originates from the Ancient Macedonian form of the Greek name Pherenike (Φερενίκη), meaning "bringing victory" — from φέρω (phero) "to bring" and νίκη (nike) "victory". In the New Testament (Acts 25 ff.), Bernike (or Bernice) appears as the sister of King Herod Agrippa II, a minor figure who hears the apostle Paul's defense. Etymology and Historical Roots The name traces back to the Macedonian Hellenistic period, where it was borne by several Ptolemaic and Seleucid queens. Berenice I (c. 340 – between 279 and 268 BC) was the mother of Magas of Cyrene and wife of Ptolemy I of Egypt. Berenice II (267/266 – 221 BC), daughter of Magas, married Ptolemy III and is the namesake of the constellation Coma Berenices ("Berenice's Hair"). The name was also used in other noble families of Cyrenaica and Egypt. The oldest epigraphical evidence comes from a 4th-century BC priestess of Demeter in Lete. Notable Bearers In addition to the biblical Bernice, the name Berenice appears repeatedly in royal lineages: Berenice Syra (c. 275 – 246 BC), daughter of Ptolemy II, married Seleucid king Antiochus II. Berenice III (ruled 101 – 80 BC) and Berenice IV (ruled 58 – 55 BC) were both queen-regnants of Egypt. The Latinized form Veronica (as in the name directly derived from Berenike) is still common today. Distinction and Usage Bernike appears specifically in Greek translations of the New Testament, while most English Bibles use the spelling Bernice. As an English given name, Berenice came into use after the Protestant Reformation, but Bernike remains rare, primarily confined to biblical contexts in Greek-speaking Christianity. Meaning: “bringing victory” (from Greek phero “to bring” + nike “victory”) Origin: Ancient Macedonian / Greek (biblical) Type: Feminine given name Usage regions: Greek biblical texts; historically in Ptolemaic Egypt and other Hellenistic kingdoms