Burnice

Burnice is a less common variant of Bernice, which itself is an Anglicized form of the Greek name Berenike (Βερενίκη). The name Berenike is derived from the Greek words 'pherein' (to bring) and 'nike' (victory), thus meaning 'victory bringer'. Historically, Berenike was a Macedonian name, notably borne by several queens of the Ptolemaic dynasty in ancient Egypt. The name gained some popularity in early Christian communities due to Saint Bernice (also known as Veronica), who tradition says wiped the face of Jesus with her veil.

The variant 'Burnice' likely emerged as a phonetic spelling or a regional alteration of Bernice, particularly in English-speaking countries. While Bernice saw its peak popularity in the early to mid-20th century, Burnice has always been a much rarer form. Its usage, though limited, has been recorded for both males and females, contributing to its classification as a unisex name, albeit an uncommon one.