Names

Derived from Irish biorach meaning “sharp”. This was the name of a 6th-century Irish saint.

Means “bear” in Yiddish, a vernacular form of Dov.

Variant of Baer.

Diminutive of Giuseppe.

Possibly means “bee wolf” (in effect equal to “bear”) from Old English beo “bee” and wulf “wolf”. Alternatively, the first element may be beadu “battle”. This is the name of the main character in the anonymous 8th-century epic poem Beowulf. Set in Denmark, the poem tells how he slays the monster Grendel and its mother at the request of King Hroðgar. After this Beowulf becomes the king of the Geats. The conclusion of the poem tells how Beawulf, in his old age, slays a dragon but is himself mortally wounded in the act.

Derived from the Old English elements beorn “warrior, man” and ræd “counsel”.

Derived from the Old English elements beorht “bright” and ric “ruler”.

Derived from the Old English elements beorht “bright” and sige “victory”.

Means “good will” in Italian. This name was used by Shakespeare for a friend of Romeo in his play Romeo and Juliet (1596). The character had been created earlier by the Italian writer Matteo Bandello, whose play Giuletta e Romeo (1554) was one of Shakespeare’s sources.

Means “welcome” in Italian. A famous bearer was the Italian Renaissance sculptor and writer Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571).