Boy name · Germanic
Bertram
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: bright ravenBertram is a boy's name that comes from Germanic and means "bright raven". It is used in English and German.
- Meaning
- Bright raven
- Origin
- Germanic
- Gender
- Boy
- US rank
- #8353 in 2025
Meaning and origin of Bertram
As a boy's name, Bertram comes from Germanic and means "bright raven". It is used in English and German.
Bertram is also a surname: the 4,314th most common in the 2020 US Census, held by 7,961 people. See the most common last names.
Its meaning puts Bertram on our names that mean light list.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Bertram on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Bertram on 6 lists.
“Germanic for bright raven, a fine name for a dark tom”
From Boy cat names, old-fashioned boy cat names
“Bright raven; Germanic beraht and hraban”
From German boy names, strong German boy names
“Bright raven; Germanic, brought to England by the Normans”
From Names that mean light, germanic names with bert, meaning bright
“Bright raven; Germanic. Bertie for short”
From Old man names, distinguished old man names
“Bright raven; Germanic, a knightly medieval name”
From Unique boy names, rare Norse and Germanic boy names
“Germanic for bright raven; clever and a little ominous”
From Witch names, male witch and warlock names
How popular is Bertram?
- US rank in 2025
- #8,353
- 9 babies, 5 per million boys
- Best rank
- #337 in 1895
- Most babies: 228 in 1923
- Babies since 1880
- At least 7,955
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 150 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 145 per million |
| 1900s | 164 per million |
| 1910s | 195 per million |
| 1920s | 176 per million |
| 1930s | 101 per million |
| 1940s | 50 per million |
| 1950s | 36 per million |
| 1960s | 32 per million |
| 1970s | 24 per million |
| 1980s | 13 per million |
| 1990s | 9 per million |
| 2000s | 3 per million |
| 2010s | 4 per million |
| 2020s | 5 per million |
| Year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #10,919 | – | #12,410 | #6,828 | #8,164 | #10,969 | #8,407 | #12,488 | #7,846 | #8,353 |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Bertram
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- BertrandBright raven (Germanic, boy)
Names with a similar meaning
- RobertBright fame (Germanic, boy)
- ClaraClear, bright (Latin, girl)
- BertaBright, famous (Germanic, girl)
- LambertBright land (Germanic, boy)
- MurielBright sea (Scottish Gaelic, girl)
- RobertaBright fame (Germanic, girl)
- AlbertNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- AlbertoNoble and bright (Germanic, boy)
- HubertBright heart (Germanic, boy)
- RobertoBright fame (Germanic, boy)
Middle names for Bertram
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More boy names from Germanic
- HugoHeart, mind (Germanic, boy)
- LiamShort for William, will helmet (Germanic, boy)
- LeonardoBrave lion (Germanic, boy)
- AlaricRuler of all (Germanic, boy)
- ArmandoArmy man (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoEagle (Germanic, boy)
- ArnoldEagle power (Germanic, boy)
- BaldwinBold friend (Germanic, boy)
- BernardBrave bear (Germanic, boy)
- BernardoBrave bear (Germanic, boy)
Bertram: common questions
What does the name Bertram mean?
Bertram comes from Germanic and means "bright raven".
Is Bertram a boy or girl name?
Bertram is mainly a boy's name.
Where does the name Bertram come from?
Bertram comes from Germanic and means "bright raven". Today it is used in English and German.
How popular is the name Bertram?
Bertram ranked #8,353 in the US in 2025, with 9 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
What are other forms of Bertram?
Forms of Bertram with the same meaning and origin include Bertrand (French).
What middle names go with Bertram?
Middle names that flow well with Bertram include Drake, Elton, Ethan, Glenn and Lamar. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.