Barbara vs Jessie

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 →

Jessie

Girl #807 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"God is gracious"

Origin: Hebrew/Scottish

Cultural Roots

English Scottish American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#807
Total SSA Count
348
Syllables
2
Formality
Casual
Nicknames
Jess, Jes

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Jessie →

Popularity Comparison

Barbara Rank #860
Jessie Rank #807

Jessie is more popular, ranked #807 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

Jessie ___

  • Jessie Mae
  • Jessie Ann
  • Jessie Lynn
  • Jessie Rae
  • Jessie Claire
  • Jessie June

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Jessie

Katie Lucy Lily Molly Sam

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 Jessie more popular?

Jessie is more popular, ranked #807 compared to Barbara at #860 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Jessie mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Jessie means "God is gracious" (Hebrew/Scottish origin).

Are Barbara and Jessie boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Jessie is primarily a girl name.

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