Bertha

Meaning: Its source is berht, an Ancient Germanic name meaning "Brilliant."

Languages: This girl's name is used in German and English.

Nicknames: Bertie and Birdie

Variant Forms: Bertita

Non-English Forms: Berta, Berthe and Bertine

Popularity: The name Bertha ranked 156th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: Brilliance is a recurring name idea, as shown in this name as well as Clara, Helen and a form of the Chinese name Ming.

The breadth of the idea can best be understood by studying the pictogram that represents the Chinese name. It shows the sun with the moon reflecting its light, and stands not only for brightness and clarity, but also for understanding, aptitude and fame.

Leadership

Bertha von Suttner (born 1843, died 1914)
Austrian author and editor. Wrote the novel Lay Down Your Arms, 1889.
- First woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, 1905 (see list of Nobel Peace Prize Winners)

Sports

Bertha McBride
- Member of the Women''s International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (see list of Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame)
Bertha L. Townsend
- 1888-89 U.S. Open tennis champion (see list of U.S. Open Tennis Champions)

The Literary World

Bertha
- Character in ''''Sweat'''' by Zora Neale Hurston (see list of Characters in Literature of the American South)
Bertha Mason
Fictional character
- The mad woman in the attic in Charlotte Bronte''s novel, Jane Eyre (see list of Characters from the Classics)