Bernice
Every Bernice since 1880 — 185,533 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Bernice
Bernice is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #4,082 in 2025 with 35 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 185,533 American babies have been named Bernice. Its peak came in 1921, when 6,309 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Bernice stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Bernice year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35 | #4,082 | — | — |
| 2024 | 39 | #3,832 | — | — |
| 2023 | 36 | #4,060 | — | — |
| 2022 | 42 | #3,658 | — | — |
| 2021 | 52 | #3,117 | — | — |
| 2020 | 42 | #3,553 | — | — |
| 2019 | 54 | #3,009 | — | — |
| 2018 | 64 | #2,689 | — | — |
| 2017 | 71 | #2,517 | — | — |
| 2016 | 53 | #3,108 | — | — |
| 2015 | 57 | #3,004 | — | — |
| 2014 | 66 | #2,658 | — | — |
| 2013 | 71 | #2,512 | — | — |
| 2012 | 47 | #3,426 | — | — |
| 2011 | 62 | #2,801 | — | — |
| 2010 | 66 | #2,700 | — | — |
| 2009 | 80 | #2,403 | — | — |
| 2008 | 85 | #2,298 | — | — |
| 2007 | 80 | #2,372 | — | — |
| 2006 | 81 | #2,330 | — | — |
| 2005 | 84 | #2,185 | — | — |
| 2004 | 86 | #2,101 | — | — |
| 2003 | 82 | #2,126 | — | — |
| 2002 | 88 | #1,987 | — | — |
| 2001 | 105 | #1,716 | — | — |
| 2000 | 97 | #1,791 | — | — |
| 1995 | 109 | #1,466 | — | — |
| 1990 | 146 | #1,176 | 5 | #8,243 |
| 1985 | 146 | #1,031 | — | — |
| 1980 | 177 | #868 | — | — |
| 1975 | 222 | #674 | 6 | #4,854 |
| 1970 | 375 | #518 | 9 | #3,304 |
| 1965 | 565 | #389 | 12 | #2,378 |
| 1960 | 872 | #319 | 12 | #2,434 |
| 1955 | 1,045 | #256 | 23 | #1,615 |
| 1950 | 1,300 | #206 | 21 | #1,618 |
| 1945 | 1,477 | #157 | 24 | #1,350 |
| 1940 | 2,087 | #121 | 49 | #907 |
| 1935 | 2,777 | #90 | 75 | #697 |
| 1930 | 4,439 | #58 | 75 | #730 |
| 1925 | 5,728 | #46 | 89 | #678 |
| 1920 | 5,928 | #40 | 114 | #583 |
| 1915 | 4,937 | #42 | 93 | #591 |
| 1910 | 1,721 | #58 | 28 | #539 |
| 1905 | 1,032 | #74 | 20 | #507 |
| 1900 | 702 | #96 | 10 | #845 |
| 1895 | 447 | #109 | 6 | #992 |
| 1890 | 229 | #155 | 8 | #747 |
| 1885 | 96 | #193 | — | — |
| 1880 | 59 | #201 | — | — |
Famous people named Bernice
- Bernice Rubens Writer · 1923–2004
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Bernice in 2025?
Bernice ranked #4,082 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 35 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Bernice?
185,533 babies have been named Bernice in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Bernice most popular?
Bernice peaked in 1921, when 6,309 newborns received the name.
Is Bernice a boy or girl name?
Bernice is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 98% of babies with the name.
Is the name Bernice rising or falling?
Bernice is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Bernice?
Well-known people named Bernice include Bernice Rubens (writer).