"foreign woman, stranger"
Origin: Greek barbaros
Language: Greek
Barbara
Pronunciation: [ b-AHRB-er-uh ]
Does Barbara flow with your last name?
The saint, the icon, the #1 name of a generation
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American
German
Italian
Spanish
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Strong
Traditional
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Barbara
4 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"traveler from a foreign land"
Origin: symbolic
Language: Latin
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Things to Know About This Name
- Strongly associated with the Baby Boomer and Silent Generation — the quintessential mid-century American name
- Barbie doll association may feel frivolous or limiting to some parents
The Story of Barbara
Barbara comes from the Greek 'barbaros,' meaning 'foreign' or 'strange' — the same root as 'barbarian.' In ancient Greece, 'barbaros' imitated what foreign speech sounded like to Greek ears (bar-bar-bar). Despite its unflattering etymology, the name was transformed entirely by Saint Barbara, a 3rd-century Christian martyr who became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Her patronage of soldiers, miners, and those who face sudden death made her name beloved across Europe.
Barbara was the #1 girl name in the United States from 1937 to 1939 and remained in the top 10 through the 1950s. It was the definitive name of the mid-20th century American woman. Its decline from the 1970s onward mirrors exactly the generational shift away from the names of the Greatest Generation and Silent Generation.
Saint Barbara is the patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and those in danger of sudden death — her image appears on military insignia around the world. In German-speaking countries, December 4th is 'Barbaratag.' Barbie, named after Barbara Handler (daughter of Mattel founder Ruth Handler), made the name a global pop culture phenomenon.
Historical Record
Barbara first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 585,200 babies have been named Barbara in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Barbara is past its peak , currently ranked #860 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Barbara was the #1 American girl name for three consecutive years (1937-1939), the height of her peak popularity
- The Barbie doll was named after Barbara Handler, daughter of Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler — making this one name that spawned a global brand
Barbara in Other Languages
French
Barbe / Barbara
German
Barbara
Italian
Barbara
Russian
Варвара (Varvara)
Spanish
Bárbara
Popularity Over Time
#860
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Barbara
B
Barbra Streisand
Musician
1942
American singer, actress, and filmmaker with one of the most successful careers in entertainment history, winner of Gram...
American singer, actress, and filmmaker with one of the most successful careers in entertainment history, winner of Grammy, Emmy, Tony, and Oscar awards
B
Barbara Bush
Politician
1925
First Lady of the United States and literacy advocate, wife of President George H.W. Bush and mother of President George...
First Lady of the United States and literacy advocate, wife of President George H.W. Bush and mother of President George W. Bush
S
Saint Barbara
Religious
3rd-century Christian martyr and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and those facin...
3rd-century Christian martyr and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, patron saint of artillerymen, miners, and those facing sudden death
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Compare Barbara with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #860
- Total SSA Count
- 313
- Cultural Origins
- English American German Italian Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Barb
Barbie
Babs
Bobby
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Barbara
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Barbara is also used as a boy name, ranked #35692.
View Barbara as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Latin 'cadere' origin
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Greek origin
"deep blue-purple color, from India"
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Kensley
Girl
Old English elements origin
"meadow clearing (constructed modern n..."
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Celtic/English origin
"noble, high meadow"
#1,016 in US
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barbara
What does the name Barbara mean?
"foreign woman, stranger" (from Greek barbaros). "traveler from a foreign land" (from symbolic). Barbara comes from the Greek 'barbaros,' meaning 'foreign' or 'strange' — the same root as 'barbarian.' In ancient Greece, 'barbaros' imitated what foreign speech sounded like to Greek ears (bar-bar-bar). Despite its unflattering etymology, the name was transformed entirely by Saint Barbara, a 3rd-century Christian martyr who became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Her patronage of soldiers, miners, and those who face sudden death made her name beloved across Europe.
What is the origin of the name Barbara?
Barbara has Greek barbaros, symbolic, English, American, German, Italian, and Spanish origins. In Greek barbaros, it means "foreign woman, stranger". In symbolic, it means "traveler from a foreign land".
Is Barbara a boy or girl name?
Barbara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #860. As a boy name, it is ranked #35692. Barbara is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Barbara?
Barbara is pronounced b-AHRB-er-uh.
How popular is the name Barbara?
Barbara is currently ranked #860 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Barbara?
Common nicknames for Barbara include Barb, Barbie, Babs, and Bobby.
What are good middle names for Barbara?
Popular middle name pairings include Barbara Ann, Barbara Jean, Barbara Lee, Barbara Lynn, Barbara Kay, Barbara Jane, and Barbara Marie.
What are good sibling names for Barbara?
Names that pair well with Barbara as siblings include Patricia, Nancy, Linda, Judith, Robert, Thomas, Richard, and Donald.
How many syllables does Barbara have?
Barbara has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Barbara a common or rare name?
Barbara is moderately common, ranked #860 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Barbara?
Are there other spellings for Barbara?
Related spellings include Barbie.
About the Name Barbara
Barbara is a girl name with English, American, German, Italian, and Spanish origins . The name means "foreign woman, stranger" in Greek barbaros .
Is Barbara a boy or girl name? Barbara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #860 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #35,692. Barbara is more commonly used as a girl name.
Barbara is currently ranked #860 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Barbara has 3 syllables and is pronounced b-AHRB-er-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Barbara include Barb, Barbie, Babs, and Bobby. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Barbara include Barbie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis