Barbara
Pronunciation: [ b-AHRB-er-uh ]
Does Barbara 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
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Meaning & Origin
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Browse nicknames →Historical Record
Barbara first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,496 babies have been named Barbara in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Barbara is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #35,692 for boy names in the US .
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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See all →"the crown has doubled in honor"
"bear"
"descendant of Ing (Yngvi-Freyr); meadow of Ing"
Compare Barbara with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Popularity Rank
- #35,692
- Total SSA Count
- 5
Nicknames
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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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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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Barbara is also used as a girl name, ranked #860.
View Barbara as a girl name →Similar Names
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"the crown has doubled in honor"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Barbara
Is Barbara a boy or girl name?
How do you pronounce Barbara?
How popular is the name Barbara?
What are common nicknames for Barbara?
Is Barbara a common or rare name?
About the Name Barbara
Barbara is a boy name .
Is Barbara a boy or girl name? Barbara is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #35,692 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #860. Barbara is more commonly used as a girl name.
Barbara is currently ranked #35,692 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
Common nicknames for Barbara include Bar, Barb, Barby, Barbie, Ara, Aray, Araie, Bay, Baie, and Barkins. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis