"lightning bolt, flash of light"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Barak
Pronunciation: [ b-AHR-uhk ]
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A Hebrew warrior name meaning lightning and light
Hebrew
Jewish
Israeli
African
Strong
Spiritual
Bold
Classic
Traditional
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Meaning & Origin
"blessing"
Origin: Arabic / Swahili (baraka)
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Name is strongly associated with Barack Obama, 44th US President — may carry political connotations depending on audience
The Story of Barak
Barak (ברק) is an ancient Hebrew name meaning 'lightning bolt' or 'flash of light.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as the name of Barak son of Abinoam, the military general who partnered with the prophetess Deborah to defeat the Canaanite general Sisera in the Book of Judges. The name's connection to lightning gives it a sense of divine power and sudden, decisive force — a name with Old Testament warrior gravitas.
The name Barak has been used continuously in Jewish and Israeli communities for millennia. The variant Barack rose to global prominence with Barack Obama, who was elected the 44th President of the United States in 2008 — the first African-American president. Obama's name, given by his Kenyan father, comes from the Arabic/Swahili variant Baraka meaning 'blessing,' related to the Hebrew Barak.
In the Hebrew Bible, Barak is the hero of Judges 4-5, commanding Israel's army alongside Deborah. The ancient Song of Deborah (Judges 5) is considered one of the oldest texts in the Hebrew Bible, giving this name extraordinary historical depth. In African Swahili tradition, 'baraka' means blessing or grace, showing the name's cross-cultural reach.
Historical Record
Barak first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 921 babies have been named Barak in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Barak is past its peak , currently ranked #5,297 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Barak appears in the Book of Judges (chapters 4-5), one of the oldest texts in the Hebrew Bible
- The Swahili name Baraka means 'blessing' and is the origin of Barack Obama's first name
- The ancient Song of Deborah mentioning Barak is estimated to date from around 1100 BCE, making it over 3,000 years old
Barak in Other Languages
Greek
Βαράκ
Arabic
براك
French
Barak
Hebrew
בָּרָק
Spanish
Barak
Swahili
Baraka (blessing)
Popularity Over Time
#5,297
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1970
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Barak
B
Barack Obama
Politician
1961
44th President of the United States (2009-2017), first African-American president; his name is the Swahili variant of Ba...
44th President of the United States (2009-2017), first African-American president; his name is the Swahili variant of Barak meaning blessing
E
Ehud Barak
Politician
1942
10th Prime Minister of Israel and most decorated soldier in Israeli military history
B
Barak (son of Abinoam)
Military
Biblical Israelite general who, alongside the prophetess Deborah, defeated the Canaanite army of Sisera, as recorded in ...
Biblical Israelite general who, alongside the prophetess Deborah, defeated the Canaanite army of Sisera, as recorded in the Book of Judges
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,297
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Jewish Israeli African
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Barry
Bar
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, strong style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Barak
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barak
What does the name Barak mean?
"lightning bolt, flash of light" (from Hebrew). "blessing" (from Arabic / Swahili (baraka)). Barak (ברק) is an ancient Hebrew name meaning 'lightning bolt' or 'flash of light.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as the name of Barak son of Abinoam, the military general who partnered with the prophetess Deborah to defeat the Canaanite general Sisera in the Book of Judges. The name's connection to lightning gives it a sense of divine power and sudden, decisive force — a name with Old Testament warrior gravitas.
What is the origin of the name Barak?
Barak has Hebrew, Arabic / Swahili (baraka), Jewish, Israeli, and African origins. In Hebrew, it means "lightning bolt, flash of light". In Arabic / Swahili (baraka), it means "blessing".
Is Barak a boy or girl name?
Barak is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Barak?
Barak is pronounced b-AHR-uhk.
How popular is the name Barak?
Barak is currently ranked #5297 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Barak?
Common nicknames for Barak include Barry and Bar.
What are good middle names for Barak?
Popular middle name pairings include Barak Elijah, Barak David, Barak Samuel, Barak Aaron, Barak Noah, Barak Joseph, and Barak Emmanuel.
What are good sibling names for Barak?
Names that pair well with Barak as siblings include Elijah, Gideon, Miriam, Deborah, Joshua, Tamar, and Abigail.
How many syllables does Barak have?
Barak has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Barak a common or rare name?
Barak is an uncommon name, ranked #5297 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Barak
Barak is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, Israeli, and African origins . The name means "lightning bolt, flash of light" in Hebrew .
Barak is currently ranked #5,297 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Barak has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-AHR-uhk, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Barak include Barry and Bar. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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