Bjarne

Bjarne is a masculine given name of Scandinavian origin, most common in Denmark and Norway. It is the Danish form of the Old Norse name Bjǫrn, meaning “bear,” and is related to other Nordic names such as Björn in Swedish and Bjørn in Danish. The name has medieval roots and remains in use in contemporary Danish and Norwegian communities; outside the Nordic region it is relatively uncommon but recognized as a Danish-born given name.

Pronunciation varies, but in Danish it is typically pronounced roughly BYAR-neh.

Notable people named Bjarne include Bjarne Stroustrup (born 1950), a Danish computer scientist and the designer of the C++ programming language; Bjarne Riis (born 1964), a Danish former professional road cyclist and 1996 Tour de France winner; and Bjarne Reuter (born 1950), a Danish writer known for children's and adolescent literature.

Given its Nordic origin, the name Bjarne is most frequently encountered among Danish or Norwegian populations, and is less common outside Northern Europe. It is often associated with traditional Danish naming practices and is sometimes used in literary or historical contexts to reflect Scandinavian heritage.