Meaning and history
Bernarda is the feminine form of Bernard in Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian, Slovene, and other European languages. Bernard combines Germanic elements meaning “bear” and “brave” or “hardy,” giving the traditional sense “brave as a bear.” Saint Bernard of Clairvaux made the name family important in medieval Christianity. Notable bearers include Portuguese poet and playwright Bernarda Ferreira de Lacerda and Croatian tennis player Bernarda Pera.