See the results of this poll: Nickname for Bernadette?
Respondents: 45 (This poll is closed)
- Berry : 21 (47%)
- Bear: 24 (53%)
I wouldn’t be able to resist not calling my [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] [name_m]Bear[/name_m] or [name_u]Teddy[/name_u] [name_m]Bear[/name_m] or even [name_u]Bernie[/name_u]-[name_m]Bear[/name_m] lol. I love [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] for this reason, it’s such a warm and cuddly name. I also really admire [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] Soubirous who was graced with the vision/visitation of the Virgin [name_f]Mary[/name_f] in [name_f]Lourdes[/name_f]. [name_f]Betty[/name_f], [name_f]Ettie[/name_f] or [name_f]Etta[/name_f] could also be suitable options.
I love the name [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]! The one I know goes almost exclusively by [name_f]Berna[/name_f]. I also think [name_m]Bear[/name_m] is a really cute option 
I picked [name_m]Bear[/name_m], but [name_f]Etta[/name_f] and [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] are my favorite nicknames for [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f].
I chose [name_u]Berry[/name_u], but it is really about which name feels more natural to you.
Not a fan of either, they seem forced to me. [name_u]Bernie[/name_u] is the most organic, not sure if you will be able to control people calling her that. I like B or [name_f]Bee[/name_f], I think that could catch on.
I picked [name_u]Berry[/name_u]. [name_m]Bear[/name_m] seems a little too masculine for a sweet little baby girl, [name_f]IMO[/name_f].
I also picked [name_u]Berry[/name_u] because [name_m]Bear[/name_m] feels masculine… but [name_u]Berry[/name_u] is the same as [name_u]Barry[/name_u], a mans name, so I’m not sure it’s much better… I like some of the other suggestions, like [name_f]Birdie[/name_f]!
I like either nickname. I voted [name_u]Berry[/name_u] but I like how [name_m]Bear[/name_m] seems more personal and is tied directly to [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]'s meaning. Plus, [name_m]Bear[/name_m] or any other nickname you pick may work really well with the middle name you choose to compliment [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f].
I know many nicknames have been suggested, but here is a complete list of all of the nicknames that I think could come from [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] and/or [name_m]Bear[/name_m]. I also like the idea of a double nickname with [name_m]Bear[/name_m] being the second word in a nickname (i.e. _____ [name_m]Bear[/name_m]) to make [name_m]Bear[/name_m] feel softer and more feminine. This way your daughter can also choose from her two nicknames if she prefers one to the other as she grows up. Some of the below nicknames are a definite stretch, but you never know what will stick with nicknames!
B
[name_f]Bea[/name_f]
[name_f]Bebe[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_m]Bean[/name_m]
Beanie ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_m]Bear[/name_m]
Bearie
Beary
[name_f]Bee[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_m]Benny[/name_m] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
Bern … This is a short nickname, but it may be a bit too harsh sounding for a nickname.
[name_f]Berna[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_u]Berry[/name_u] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_u]Bird[/name_u]
[name_f]Birdie[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_f]Briar[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m]) … Briar reminds me of a burning bush. I like that this softens [name_m]Bear[/name_m] and also feels like a fairy tale name. You’re daughter will be like a little princess (think Sleeping Beauty’s [name_f]Briar[/name_f] [name_f]Rose[/name_f] / [name_f]Aurora[/name_f]) who feels comfortable in both her nickname and her royally beautiful first name.
[name_u]Bryn[/name_u] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_f]Dede[/name_f] / [name_f]Didi[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
Diddy ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_f]Dita[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m]) … This name is delicate and pretty, though probably most associated with [name_f]Dita[/name_f] [name_m]Von[/name_m] Teese and her makeup products.
Ditty ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_f]Etta[/name_f] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
Red (Bear) … Red, as in the color of a burning bush. This likely sounds more masculine than Bear to you.
Ruby (Bear) … This one is a more of a stretch. Bern reminds me of “burn” which reminds me of “burning a bridge” which reminds me of “crossing the Rubicon” which brings me to “Ruby.” Crossing the Rubicon refers to crossing the line into battle and not turning back. This too may sound harsh, but it can be a great reminder or strength, resilience, and courage when action needs to be taken and choices need to be made. It also connects to the color and name Red, the color of the burning bush.
[name_u]Teddy[/name_u] ([name_m]Bear[/name_m])
[name_f]Ursa[/name_f] … Meaning “little bear,” though the connection would probably be clearer as a middle name (and would definitely take you furtherest from your preference of calling your child by her full name)
I hope this helps!
I liked [name_m]Bear[/name_m] best.
But I would go with [name_f]Etta[/name_f] personally - I love [name_f]Etta[/name_f] [name_u]James[/name_u].
It’s though choice, but ultimately I voted for [name_m]Bear[/name_m]. I love [name_u]Berry[/name_u] as nickname for [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f], but I think [name_m]Bear[/name_m] is more intuitive… you can call her both [name_u]Berry[/name_u], [name_m]Bear[/name_m] and [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]…
I picked [name_m]Bear[/name_m], but once you have a little snuggle bug it’s almost impossible to resist adding a -y or doubling their name. My kids were called [name_u]Sandy[/name_u], Sand [name_m]Man[/name_m], [name_m]Ly[/name_m]-[name_m]Ly[/name_m], [name_f]Ellie[/name_f]-Bellie, and [name_u]Lee[/name_u]-[name_u]Lee[/name_u] as pet names when I would play with them as babies (or try to get them to smile for a picture) Of course they don’t go by these now (besides Sand [name_m]Man[/name_m]) but I think [name_m]Bear[/name_m] turning into [name_u]Berry[/name_u] is unavoidable at home. Now if you want these nicknames to be official “this is my daughter, [name_m]Bear[/name_m]” nicknames then I’d go with [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] or [name_f]Ettie[/name_f]. I find both [name_m]Bear[/name_m] and [name_u]Berry[/name_u] to be really masculine.
I didn’t pick either, because I think nicknames manifest after the baby is born. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t stress about it. [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] is beautiful, as will be her nickname.
I think [name_m]Bear[/name_m] would be a great nickname for [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f]!
I think [name_f]Bernadette[/name_f] nn [name_m]Bear[/name_m] is amazing!