BCE stands for before common era
AD stands for Anno Domini - a Latin phrase meaning "In the year of our Lord". BC stands for Before Christ.
BCE = Before Common Era BC = Before Christ BCE is basically a secular alternative and replacement for BC, due to the religious implications of BC.
the old answer is lame. B.C. really is acctually before christ, it isn't latin, but A.D. is anno domini, meaning the year of our lord.
BC is "before Christ" and AD "anno domini"