Barbara

Fact-checked by Jaime Babiera

1. Barbara name meaning and origin

The name Barbara has ancient roots, originating from the Greek word "βάρβαρος" (barbaros), which initially referred to anyone who did not speak Greek and whose speech sounded like unintelligible "bar-bar" sounds to Greek ears. While it originally carried a somewhat pejorative connotation of "foreign" or "stranger," the name evolved significantly in meaning over time. For instance, it was then reinterpreted more positively as "exotic" or "unusual."

Barbara gained prominence in the Christian tradition through Saint Barbara, a legendary Christian martyr of the early church. According to tradition, she was imprisoned in a tower by her pagan father for her Christian faith and later suffered martyrdom. Her story contributed to the name's popularity and established its enduring legacy. Barbara has maintained its classic appeal over centuries, known for conveying strength and dignity.

Barbara

References:

2. Barbara name popularity

Girl

Boy

in 2023

from 2022

Popularity of Barbara

United States

United Kingdom

Barbara is predominantly a feminine name with Greek roots meaning "foreign" or "strange." While primarily used for women in both the United States and United Kingdom, it has occasionally been given to males in both countries, though this usage is quite rare. The name gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century.

Barbara reached its peak popularity in the US during the 1940s and 1950s when it consistently ranked among the top 10 girls' names. Since then, its usage has gradually declined as more modern naming trends emerged. Despite this decline, Barbara remains a classic name with a rich cultural history, appearing in literature, music, and as the name of notable women throughout history.

3. Barbara in Popular Culture: Characters in Fiction

The name Barbara has been used in various forms of fiction, both in classic literature and present media. A list of some prominent characters bearing the name in fictional works is listed below.

Literature:

Barbara Gordon - She is a fictional character in the DC comics, best known as Batgirl and the genius information broker, Oracle.

Barbara - A character from the novel “Barbara” by Joni Murphy. She is a woman who becomes a successful actress while reclaiming her identity through the art of filming and navigating personal affairs.

Films and Television:

Barbara Millicent “Barbie” Roberts - The globally recognized fashion doll and the main protagonist of the animated web series Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse.

Barbara Kean - She is one of the antagonists in the TV series “Gotham.”

Barbara Maitland - The main female protagonist of the film “Beetlejuice.” She is known as a woman of simple pleasures who enjoys cleaning and maintaining her house.

Video Games:

Barbara Pegg - A Hydro character from the video game “Genshin Impact”. She is the younger sister of Jean and is a deaconess of the Church of Favonius.

4. Celebrities with the Name Barbara

Aside from fiction, the name Barbara has also been carried by real-life figures in entertainment, sports, and music. From actors to athletes, these celebrities have helped keep the name visible in popular culture.

Historical Figures:

Barbara Walters

She was an American broadcast journalist who became the first woman to co-anchor the network evening news program, Today.

Barbara Stanwyck

A Hollywood leading lady who had a career of more than 60 years. She starred in over 80 films and portrayed different varities of strong-willed women.

Barbara Stanwyck

Image source: Wikipedia

Barbara Bush

Former First Lady of the United States, wife of President George H. W. Bush, and mother of President George W. Bush.

Barbara Mandrell

A country music singer, musician, and actress who rose to fame in the 1970s and 80s. She is an American and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Barbara Bel Geddes

A film, stage, and television American actress, she was nominated for an Oscar early in her career with the drama “I Remember Mama”.

Barbara Strozzi

She was among the best female composers of the Baroque era. Known for her role in the development of solo vocal music during the mid-17th century.

The Viola da Gamba Player, c. 1630–1640, by Bernardo Strozzi, believed to be of Barbara Strozzi. It is unclear whether the painter is immediately related to the Strozzi family.

Image source: Wikipedia

Barbara McClintock

A highly distinguished American scientist who was awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her discovery of jumping genes.

McClintock in her laboratory, 1947

Image source: Wikipedia

Contemporary Celebrities:

Barbra Streisand

An iconic American singer, composer, and actress who is one of the world's best-selling recording artists of all time.

Barbara Eden

American actress best known for her iconic starring role as the beautiful 2,000-year-old genie, Jeannie, in the classic sitcom I Dream of Jeannie.

Barbara Hershey

One of the most admired American actresses, known for her roles in Hannah and Her Sisters and Black Swan.

Barbara Palvin

A globally recognized Hungarian fashion model who worked with major brands such as Victoria’s Secret, L'Oreal Paris, and Armani Exchange.

Barbara Corcoran

She is an American businesswoman, investor, author, and television personality who started her own real estate company, The Corcoran Group.

Barbara Kingsolver

An acclaimed American novelist and poet, known for her famous works, including “The Poisonwood Bible and Demon Copperhead.”

Barbara Bach

An American actress who gained international fame for her role as the Bond girl Major Anya Amasova in the 1977 film “The Spy Who Loved Me”.

Barbara Boxer

A former long-time American politician who served as a U.S. Senator for California from 1993 to 2017.

Barbara Windsor

An English actress who became popular for her role in the “Carry On" film series. She has also taken the role of Peggy Mitchell in “EastEnders”.

5. Variations and nicknames of Barbara

The name Barbara has evolved across various cultures and languages, yielding a rich tapestry of variants throughout history. In Italian, the name retains its original form, while Lithuanian transforms it into Barbora. French-speaking regions often use Barbe, and in Georgia, one might encounter Barbare. The Hungarian variant Borbála demonstrates how the name adapts to local phonetic patterns. Greek and Russian Orthodox traditions favor Varvara, maintaining the original 'v' sound from the name's Greek roots. Portuguese-speaking regions use Bárbara with an accent, while Swedish might opt for Barbro. These variants reflect the name's journey across continents and centuries, each adaptation preserving the essence while honoring local linguistic traditions.

Beyond formal variants, Barbara has spawned numerous affectionate nicknames and diminutives. The most common include Barb, Babe, Barbie, Babs, and Babbie, which have become popular standalone names in some cases. Babette emerged as a French diminutive. Children named Barbara might be called Barri or Bina by family members. The nickname Bára is common in Czech and Slovak communities. In professional settings, some Barbaras prefer their full name while using a nickname among friends, demonstrating the versatility of this classic name that has maintained popularity across generations while adapting to changing naming trends through its many variants and nicknames.

6. Best name combinations with Barbara

names that pair well with Barbara:

Barbara Rose
Barbara Claire
Barbara Elena
Barbara Sofia
Barbara Elise
Barbara Victoria
Barbara Renee
Barbara Eve
Barbara Maeve
Barbara Pearl
Barbara Grace
Barbara Anne
Barbara Vivienne
Barbara Louise
Barbara Celeste
Barbara Marie
Barbara Josephine
Barbara Jade
Barbara Alexandra
Barbara Genevieve
Amalia Barbara
Olga Barbara
Vivian Barbara
Sonya Barbara
Elizabeth Barbara
Catherine Barbara
Sylvia Barbara
Madeline Barbara
Louise Barbara
Glenda Barbara
Josephine Barbara
Kristin Barbara
Carrie Barbara
Amelia Barbara
Francesca Barbara
Camila Barbara
Loretta Barbara
Esperanza Barbara

7. Numerology of Barbara name

Numerology Analysis for Barbara

Destiny Number (Expression Number):

7
Each letter in "Barbara" converts to: 2+1+9+2+1+9+1 = 25, which reduces to 2+5 = 7

The Destiny Number 7 indicates a deeply analytical and philosophical nature. Barbara is likely intellectually oriented with strong intuitive abilities. In career, she thrives in research, psychology, scientific fields, or any role requiring deep analysis and independent thinking. In relationships, she values meaningful connection, trust, and authenticity. You may need some personal space to give room for spiritual growth. Barbara appreciates partners who respect your desire for alone time and reflection.

Soul Urge Number (Heart's Desire Number):

3
Vowels in "Barbara" convert to: A+A+A = 1+1+1 = 3

The Soul Urge Number 3 reveals Barbara's inner desire for self-expression and creativity. At her core, she yearns to communicate, inspire, and engage with other people. In career, she's naturally drawn to writing, performing arts, marketing, public relations, and teaching. In relationships, you’re looking for real joy, transparent communication, and mutual appreciation.

Personality Number:

4
Consonants in "Barbara" convert to: B+R+B+R = 2+9+2+9 = 22, which reduces to 2+2 = 4

The Personality Number 4 shows how others perceive Barbara as reliable, conservative, and down-to-earth. She presents herself as someone dedicated to achieving a certain outcome. In career, she demonstrates strong attention to detail. In relationships, she has a very close bond with family. Barbara is seen as dependable and trustworthy who appears to be strong figure for other people.

Note: This numerology analysis is just for fun and entertainment purposes. It is not meant to be taken seriously or as a reflection of one’s true personality or destiny. No offense is intended.

8. Names similar to Barbara

Like Barbara ? What about:

Benjamin

Adelyn

Thodoris

Abigail

Addison

Nikolas

Delia

Carina

Dominic

Stelios

Bellamy

Matthaios

Danielle

Jocasta

Elijah

Gabriel

Elena

Adeline

Gideon

Delaney

Common sibling names

Sisters

Adalyn

Addison

Danielle

Gianna

Sofia

Leonie

Delaney

Iona

Genesis

Eleni

Abigail

Bellamy

Agatha

Lydia

Madelynn

Elina

Adelyn

Elena

Georgia

Adeline

Brothers

Damien

Theodor

Leonel

Elijah

Addison

Damian

Elias

Bellamy

Theodore

Andreas

Nicholas

Adrian

Gideon

Matthias

Alexis

Nikolas

Angelo

Gabriel

Benjamin

Dominic

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Jaime Babiera

Jaime Babiera is a team leader at Infinity Web Solutions. As a former research intern at Rappler and contributor of op-ed pieces to the Daily Guardian, he developed expertise in rigorous information verification and published substantive editorial outputs driven by professional integrity and factual accuracy. His body of work reflects a strong commitment to truth, transparency, and excellence, ensuring every piece he releases or project he leads is reliable and compelling.