Amelia vs Barbara

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Amelia

Girl #3 Most Popular 4 Syllables

Meaning

"work, industriousness"

Origin: Germanic

Cultural Roots

English German Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#3
Total SSA Count
12,740
Syllables
4
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Amy, Millie, Mel

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Amelia →

Barbara

Girl #860 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"foreign woman, stranger"

Origin: Greek barbaros

Cultural Roots

English American German Italian Spanish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#860
Total SSA Count
313
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Barb, Barbie, Babs

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Barbara →

Popularity Comparison

Amelia Rank #3
Barbara Rank #860

Amelia is more popular, ranked #3 vs #860 for Barbara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Amelia ___

  • Amelia Rose
  • Amelia Grace
  • Amelia Jane
  • Amelia Kate
  • Amelia Anne
  • Amelia Louise

Barbara ___

  • Barbara Ann
  • Barbara Jean
  • Barbara Lee
  • Barbara Lynn
  • Barbara Kay
  • Barbara Jane

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Amelia

Oliver Henry Theodore Charlotte Sophia

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amelia or Barbara more popular?

Amelia is more popular, ranked #3 compared to Barbara at #860 in the United States.

What do Amelia and Barbara mean?

Amelia means "work, industriousness" (Germanic origin). Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin).

Are Amelia and Barbara boy or girl names?

Amelia is primarily a girl name. Barbara is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Amelia ← Full profile: Barbara Browse all baby names