Barbara vs Emma

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 →

Popularity Comparison

Barbara Rank #860
Emma Rank #2

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 vs #860 for Barbara.

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

Emma ___

  • Emma Rose
  • Emma Grace
  • Emma Jane
  • Emma Louise
  • Emma Kate
  • Emma Marie

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Emma

Olivia Charlotte Liam Henry Sophia

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 Emma more popular?

Emma is more popular, ranked #2 compared to Barbara at #860 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Emma mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Emma means "strength" (Germanic origin).

Are Barbara and Emma boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Emma is primarily a girl name.

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