Bernice

[Happysurprise]

OK, immediate reactions are usually awful but say it over a few times and it grows on you.....

Reasons I like it:

• sounds unusual and a little french (dont think it is)
  
• I like the nn of Bea or Bunny or even Bernie (kind of cute and tomboyish, cheeky)
  
• it means to bring victory
  
• origin is Greek, so it has some classic roots (although its not the original form)
  
• I liked the book Bernice Bobs Her Hair by Scott Fitzgerald
  

What do you think?

[BigGiantCowWithAKnockKnockTail]

I've tried saying it a few times but I'm afraid I just can't get past the Emmerdale barmaid. Sorry.

[LynetteScavo]

No.

Wasn't the Grandpa in Thomas and the magic railroad called Bernice?

[Happysurprise]

I just googled Bernice Emmerdale - is she a horrible character? I dont think that would bother me even if she was as I dont watch it.

[Happysurprise]

Haha, I have no idea what Thomas and the magic railroad is....off to google again.

[BigGiantCowWithAKnockKnockTail]

It was years ago. Not horrible, just quite annoying. She's the only Bernice I've ever come across.

[MolotovCocktail]

First thing that comes to my mind when I think of Bernice is: Bernard.

It's a clunky, unfeminine name to my ears, sorry OP.

There are so many more lovlier names for baby girls, please think of something else.

[Sashapineapple]

Sorry I think it's awful and doesn't sound nice at all.

[eachtigertires]

It's not terrible but I don't like it personally.

[MolotovCocktail]

To be a bit more helpful, there's a great website here:

nameberry.com/babyname/Bernice

that gives lots of links to suitable alternatives to Bernice, including the literary connection that you mentioned (if you want an alternative, that is.)

[perplexedpirate]

Isn't it the vicar from League of Gentlemen?
If not, that's what it reminds me of.

[perplexedpirate]

Just checked, yes it was.
Not a great association...

[vitaminC]

I much prefer the French name Bérénice!

[PuddingWhine]

No, it won't grow on me. There are names of that era which are pre-old lady and I could be persuaded to like many of them, even Beryl, Meryl, Miriam, Norah... but no not Berenice. or Bernice. She'd end up being Bernie which is just dreadful. I always felt a bit sorry for Bernies growing up and I knew a few. It was short for Bernadette, but that's another name I could say a hundred times and it would never grow on me.

[TidyDancer]

It's a really nice name, but Bea and Bunny are not really nicknames of it. Bea is Beatrice and I think Bunny is just generic isn't it? Bernie is the standard nickname, which is quite pretty IMO.

Bare in mind it's quite a dated name now, which doesn't bother me tbh, but it would some. The youngest Bernice I know is in her 60s.

[MolotovCocktail]

According to Nameberry, Bunny is a usual NN for Bernice, as is Binnie. Still doesn't make it work for me, though.

[FellatioNels0n]

I quite like it. but I much prefer Bernadette.

[TidyDancer]

Bunny is a generic nn for all B names, it's not specific to Bernice.

I've known a number of people named Bernice, and they've all used Bernie as a nn. Bunny just makes me think of Charlotte's evil MIL in SATC.

[scarlettsmummy2]

Bernie is very popular in Ireland for women in their fifties!

[Happysurprise]

Funny it doesnt strike me as a senior name at all.

But no-one likes it - if one or two people really liked it, I think I would ignore everyone else but I can't saddle the poor child with something that is universally disliked.......

Bunny is a bit of a crap nn anyhow.

What about:

Juno
Sylvia
Claudia

[EnjoyResponsibly]

Nope. All I get is Bernice Nolan.

Just feel like dancin'

[Chottie]

Sorry no.......

[badtasteflump]

Just makes me think of the Nolan sisters

So I would say 'no'.

What about Beatrice if you like Bea?

[Viviennemary]

I'm not very keen on it but it's not awful. I knew a Bernice and she wasn't a very nice person. And also that barmaid Bernice on Emmerdale. So not really.

[scaevola]

I'd prefer Berenike, or Berengaria.

[TheEscapeGoat]

Juno and Sylvia are lovely - and so is Sylvie (knew a very beautiful little girl called Sylvie once) and I decided I really liked Sybil during the week. The presenter on Farming Today this week was called Sybil (Ruscoe) - very pretty name.