Gender Feminine
Pronounced Pron. /ˈbɛʁ.ta/(German) /ˈbɜɹ.θə/(American English) /ˈbɜː.θə/(British English)  [key·simplify]

Meaning & History

Originally a short form of Germanic names beginning with the Old Frankish or Old Saxon element berht, Old High German beraht meaning "bright" (Proto-Germanic *berhtaz). This was the name of a few early saints, including a 6th-century Frankish princess who married and eventually converted King Æþelbeorht of Kent. It was also borne by the mother of Charlemagne in the 8th century (also called Bertrada), and it was popularized in England by the Normans. It died out as an English name after the Middle Ages, but was revived in the 19th century.

This name also appears in southern Germanic legends (often spelled Perchta or Berchta) belonging to a goddess of animals and weaving.

Related Names

VariantsBerta(German) Berhta(Germanic)
DiminutiveBirdie(English)
Masculine FormBertilo(Germanic)
Other Languages & CulturesBerta(Catalan) Berta(Czech) Berthe(French) Berta(Hungarian) Berta(Italian) Berta(Polish) Berta(Slovene) Berta(Spanish)
User SubmissionBerþa

Popularity

People think this name is

classic   mature   natural   wholesome   strong   rough   strange   simple  

Name Days

Denmark: August 31

Categories

Sources & References

  1. Förstemann, Ernst. Altdeutsches Namenbuch. Bonn, 1900, page 282.
Entry updated April 23, 2024