Bedard

Bedard is a surname of French origin, often written with the accent as Bédard. It is generally regarded as a patronymic surname, derived from a given name such as Béard, with the -ard suffix common in French naming conventions.

Geographic distribution and usage: The name is especially prevalent in Canada, particularly in Quebec, where it ranks among the more common French-Canadian surnames. It is also found in other parts of North America and in France, reflecting historical migrations of francophone populations. In English-speaking contexts, the diacritic is frequently dropped, producing Bedard.

Notable people: The most widely recognized bearer in recent years is Connor Bedard (born 2005), a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He has been described as one of the top prospects in hockey. Other individuals with the surname have appeared across sports, academia, and public life, though none have achieved the same level of international recognition as Connor Bedard.

Variants: The accented form Bédard remains common in francophone regions, while Bedard is the predominant spelling in many anglophone communities. The name is primarily treated as a family name rather than a given name.