Barbara vs Melani

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 →

Melani

Girl #1,006 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"dark, black"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

American English French

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#1,006
Total SSA Count
254
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mel, Lani

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Melani →

Popularity Comparison

Barbara Rank #860
Melani Rank #1,006

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 vs #1006 for Melani.

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

Melani ___

  • Melani Grace
  • Melani Rose
  • Melani Claire
  • Melani Anne
  • Melani Joy
  • Melani Kate

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Melani

Natalie Stephanie Valerie Caleb Brandon

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 Melani more popular?

Barbara is more popular, ranked #860 compared to Melani at #1006 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Melani mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Melani means "dark, black" (Greek origin).

Are Barbara and Melani boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Melani is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

Melani vs Barbara Barbara vs Pearl Barbara vs Solana Barbara vs Malaysia Barbara vs Noor
← Full profile: Barbara ← Full profile: Melani Browse all baby names