Barney
Pronunciation: [ b-AHRN-ee ]
Does Barney flow with your last name?
A distinctive boy name with a rare, memorable quality.
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Barney
7 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →Historical Record
Barney first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,707 babies have been named Barney in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Barney is past its peak , currently ranked #15,251 for boy names in the US .
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Popularity Rank
- #15,251
- Total SSA Count
- 7
Alternative Spellings
Nicknames
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Barney is also used as a girl name, ranked #69124.
View Barney as a girl name →Similar Names
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View all →Classical Arabic origin
"elevated in status"
#15,391 in US
Old English origin
"Ōn's hill; from the hill of Ōn"
#15,100 in US
French origin
"from Dijon, city in Burgundy France"
#15,374 in US
Old French origin
"one who is loved"
#15,323 in US
Irish Gaelic origin
"ruler of the people"
#15,133 in US
Germanic origin
"work-power, home-ruler"
#15,181 in US
Sanskrit origin
"lord of the right path"
#15,071 in US
Irish Gaelic origin
"descendant of the champion"
#15,098 in US
Save Your Name Card
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barney
Is Barney a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Barney?
How popular is the name Barney?
What are common nicknames for Barney?
Is Barney a common or rare name?
What boy names are similar to Barney?
Are there other spellings for Barney?
About the Name Barney
Barney is a boy name .
Is Barney a boy or girl name? Barney is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #15,251 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,124. Barney is more commonly used as a boy name.
Barney is currently ranked #15,251 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
Common nicknames for Barney include Bar, Barn, Barny, Barnie, Bay, Baie, and Barkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Barney include Barnabas . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Recommended for Parents
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis