Barbara
Barbara: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈbɑɹb(ə)ɹə/ · /ˈbɑːb(ə)ɹə/
Meaning and origin of Barbara
- A female given name from Latin.
Etymology
From Latin Barbara, the name of Saint Barbara, feminine form of barbarus, from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “strange, foreign”). Doublet of Varvara. * (logic): From the given name; chosen because it has three A's in it representing universal affirmatives.
How popular is Barbara?
Since 1880, 1,436,695 girls and 4,136 boys in the U.S. have been named Barbara (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2 in 1937. Its highest rank for boys was #454 in 1938. In 2025 it ranked #968 for girls, with 264 babies given the name.
Names similar to Barbara
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin girl names
Sibling name ideas for Barbara
Sister and brother names that share Barbara's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Barbara FAQ
What does the name Barbara mean?
A female given name from Latin. From Latin Barbara, the name of Saint Barbara, feminine form of barbarus, from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “strange, foreign”). Doublet of Varvara. * (logic): From the given name; chosen because it has three A's in it representing universal affirmatives.
What is the origin of the name Barbara?
Barbara is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Barbara?
Since 1880, 1,436,695 girls and 4,136 boys in the U.S. have been named Barbara (100% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #2 in 1937. Its highest rank for boys was #454 in 1938. In 2025 it ranked #968 for girls, with 264 babies given the name.
Is Barbara a boy or girl name?
Barbara is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 1,436,695 girls and 4,136 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.