Barbara

What does the baby name Barbara mean? Learn about what Barbara means, its history & origin, popularity in our random name database, pronunciation, similar names, nicknames & spelling variations.

Barbara - Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

Spelling of Barbara: B-A-R-B-A-R-A, is a 7-letter female given name.
Pronunciation of Barbara: BAHR-bər-ə; BAHR-brə; BAR bah rah
Meaning of Barbara: Foreign or stranger, stranger, foreigner, strange, foreign, the stranger, chatter of foreigners.
Origin of Barbara: The name 'Barbara' has ancient roots and can be traced back to the Greek language. Derived from the Greek word 'barbaros', meaning 'foreign' or 'strange', the name 'Barbara' originally referred to someone who did not speak Greek. It was used to describe individuals from different cultures and languages, emphasizing their perceived difference from the Greek-speaking world.; American Names; Canadian Names; Classic Names; English Names; French Names; Greek Names; Hungarian Names; Italian Names; Latin Names; Polish Names; Portuguese Names; Saints Names; Spanish Names; Swedish Names
Similar Names, Nicknames, & Spelling Variations of Barbara: Bab; Babe; Babette; Babita; Baibin; Barba; Barbe; Barbel; Barbica; Barbie; Barbola; Barbora; Basha; Basia; Bobbi; Bonni; Varina; Varvara; Vavina
Popularity of Barbara: Over time, the name 'Barbara' has experienced fluctuations in popularity. In the early 20th century, it gained significant traction and reached its peak in the 1930s and 1940s. During this period, it was one of the most popular names for baby girls in the United States. However, its popularity gradually declined in the following decades.; Barbara currently has 355 likes, and is in the top 3% of liked girl's names. The name Azaria is slightly more popular than Barbara.

Etymology of Barbara

The linguistic roots of the name 'Barbara' can be found in the Greek word 'barbaros'. This word, as mentioned earlier, originally meant 'foreign' or 'strange'. The name carries with it a sense of uniqueness and individuality, reflecting the diverse origins of those who bore it.

Cultural Significance of Barbara

While the name 'Barbara' does not hold specific cultural significance in most contexts, it is worth noting that in certain religious traditions, such as Christianity, Saint 'Barbara' is venerated as a martyr. Her story and the associated symbolism have made the name 'Barbara' resonate within these religious communities.