Barbara vs Kiera

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 →

Kiera

Girl #982 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"little dark one, dark-complexioned"

Origin: Irish Gaelic

Cultural Roots

Irish English American

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#982
Total SSA Count
264
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ki, Kiki

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kiera →

Popularity Comparison

Barbara Rank #860
Kiera Rank #982

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 vs #982 for Kiera.

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

Kiera ___

  • Kiera Rose
  • Kiera Grace
  • Kiera Jane
  • Kiera Marie
  • Kiera Faye

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Kiera

Declan Fiona Liam Aoife Niamh

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 Kiera more popular?

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 compared to Kiera at #982 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Kiera mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Kiera means "little dark one, dark-complexioned" (Irish Gaelic origin).

Are Barbara and Kiera boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Kiera is primarily a girl name.

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