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Why are there so many Germanic names that contain the string "bert"? This website says that this means "bright". Is that bright, like a light might be bright or can it mean bright as in smart or intelligent? Or could it mean either one, depending on the instance? My last name is Bertram and there is a fair amount of discussion within my family about what exactly that means. This website says this name means "bright raven". Since ravens are black, or at least the ones I'm familiar with are black, can a black bird be bright, as in color or appearance? The doubt is whether bert means bright and also whether ram means raven. So you see there is plenty of doubt!!! lol I'm asking these questions primarily to satisfy a doubting, and sometimes "pestiferous" relative. But I too have the same questions. I'm also trying to reconcile the name elements "bert" and "ram" as used in Albert, Camembert, Wolfram and Ingram. And how certain is this website that its information really accurate? I have this question myself, but it's more to silence my doubting relative! And the curiosity of the rest of us. :) ty!!