Barbara vs Elsa

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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 →

Elsa

Girl #939 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"pledged to God"

Origin: Germanic/Hebrew

Cultural Roots

German Scandinavian Spanish Swedish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#939
Total SSA Count
280
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
El, Elsie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Elsa →

Popularity Comparison

Barbara Rank #860
Elsa Rank #939

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 vs #939 for Elsa.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barbara ___

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

Elsa ___

  • Elsa Rose
  • Elsa Jane
  • Elsa Marie
  • Elsa Grace
  • Elsa Sofia
  • Elsa Ingrid

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Elsa

Ingrid Lars Astrid Erik Freya

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 Barbara or Elsa more popular?

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 compared to Elsa at #939 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Elsa mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Elsa means "pledged to God" (Germanic/Hebrew origin).

Are Barbara and Elsa boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Elsa is primarily a girl name.

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