Bernadette

English

Etymology

From French Bernadette, made famous by St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌbɝ.nəˈdɛt/

Proper noun

Bernadette

1. A female given name from French.
   • 1983, A. N. Wilson, Scandal: or Priscilla's Kindness, Penguin, published 1985, →ISBN, page 1:

     Bernadette Woolley was aware that her name was professionally inappropriate. She tended to get a lot of jokes about it. There had even been recommendations that she change it. The pious connotations put men off, it was averred. Non-Catholics recognised her allegiance at once because of the label, and scorned her for it; while co-religionists, reminded inappropriately of the Virgin apparition at Lourdes, blushed, or sniggered, or asked for another girl.

   • 1995, E. L. Konigsburg, T-Backs, T-Shirts, Coat, and Suit, Simon & Schuster, published 2008, →ISBN, page 13:

     As they walked farther along the concourse, Bernadette said, "You call me Bernadette. Aunt won't be necessary. And I don't like Bernie. Or Aunt Bernie or Auntie. For a while, when I was twelve, I wanted everyone to call me Detta. No reason except that I was twelve and trying to fit whatever name sounded more glamorous than Bernadette. I like to be called Bernadette. I've become my name."

Translations

female given name

• French: Bernadette (fr) f
• German: Bernadette
• Italian: Bernadetta (it) f
• Polish: Bernadeta (pl) f

French

Etymology

Diminutive of Bernarde, the feminine form of Bernard. Established as a given name due to Saint Bernadette of Lourdes (baptized Bernarde).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɛʁ.na.dɛt/

• Audio

  (file)

Proper noun

Bernadette f

1. a female given name

German

Etymology

Borrowed from French Bernadette.

Proper noun

Bernadette f (genitive Bernadettes or Bernadette)

1. a female given name