Cheryl and Liam have recently named their newborn son Bear and it has quickly become one of the hottest baby name choices. However, if Bear itself is a bit too out there for you, why not try picking a name that means ‘bear’? Check out our list below of baby names that mean ‘bear’!
The origin of this name is unclear, but may come from the Celtic word ‘artos’ which means ‘bear’ or the Irish word ‘art’ for stone. The name is strongly associated with King Arthur.
Barrett
This is a unisex name of German origin meaning ‘bear strength.’
Bernard is an old-fashioned name of German origin. Meaning ‘strong, brave bear,’ the name was one of the most popular in the English-speaking world in the early 20th century, however it is far less common in recent years.
Bernadine
Closely related to Bernard, it is the female version of the name. The name also shares the same meaning of ‘strong or brave as a bear.’
In Greek mythology, Helice was beloved by Zeus, but Hera, out of jealousy, metamorphosed her into a she-bear, whereupon Zeus placed her among the stars.
Nanuq
This is an Inuit baby boy’s name that, when translated, means ‘polar bear.’ Inuit hunters would worship the polar bear, which thy thought was powerful and mighty.
Orson comes from the French nickname for ‘bear.’
Suha is a name that comes from the Arabic word for ‘forgotten one’ and also the Arabic for a star in the Great Bear constellation.
Swithin
This is an Old English name most likely meaning ‘strong bear cub.’ It was the name of a 9th-century bishop in Winchester.
Ursula is a name found across Europe, although it is Scandinavian in origin. It is the name of a Christian saint and its popularity in Britain may stem from Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing. The name means ‘girl bear cub.’
