Barnabas vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Barnabas

Boy #4,616 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"son of encouragement"

Origin: Aramaic

Cultural Roots

English Greek Christian American European

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#4,616
Total SSA Count
22
Syllables
3
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Barney, Barn, Barnie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Barnabas →

Popularity Comparison

Barnabas Rank #4,616
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #4616 for Barnabas.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Barnabas ___

  • Barnabas James
  • Barnabas Thomas
  • Barnabas Oliver
  • Barnabas William
  • Barnabas Frederick
  • Barnabas Edward

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 Barnabas

Sebastian Cornelius Archibald Gideon Persephone

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 Barnabas or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Barnabas at #4616 in the United States.

What do Barnabas and Theodore mean?

Barnabas means "son of encouragement" (Aramaic origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Barnabas and Theodore boy or girl names?

Barnabas is primarily a boy name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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