Barbara vs Theodore

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
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 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

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Barbara

Patricia Nancy Linda Judith Robert

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

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 Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Barbara at #860 in the United States.

What do Barbara and Theodore mean?

Barbara means "foreign woman, stranger" (Greek barbaros origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Barbara and Theodore boy or girl names?

Barbara is primarily a girl name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

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