Meaning & History
Bernardina is the Italian and Spanish feminine form of Bernardino, a diminutive of Bernardo. The name ultimately derives from the Old German elements bern "bear" and hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy," giving it the meaning "brave as a bear."
Cultural and Historical Background
Bernardina is part of a widespread family of names across Europe, with equivalents such as Bernadette (French), Bernadine (French), Bernardine (French), and Bernarda (Slovene). In Dutch, the variant Berendina exists. The masculine forms Bernardino, Bernardo, and Dino (Italian diminutive) are closely related, as is the Spanish diminutive Dina. The base name Bernard was introduced to England by the Normans, replacing the Old English cognate Beornheard. It became the name of several saints and notable figures, including Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (theology) and Saint Bernard of Menthon (hospice builder).
Notable Bearers
Notable bearers of Bernardina include Princess Bernardina Christina Sophia of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (a German noblewoman), Bernardina Adriana Schramm (a New Zealand pianist and music teacher), and Berny Boxem-Lenferink (a Dutch middle-distance runner, full name Bernardina Maria Boxem-Lenferink).
- Meaning: brave as a bear
- Origin: Old German via Italian and Spanish
- Type: Feminine form of Bernardino
- Usage: Italian, Spanish
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Bernardina