Barbara - Name Meaning and Origin

Name:

Barbara

Pronunciation:

/ˈbɑːrbərə/

Gender:

Female

Origin:

Greek

Religion:

Christian

Meaning:

Stranger, foreigner

Variations:

Barbra; Barbie; Babs; Barb; Bobbie; Barby; Barbora; Varvara; Barbara Ann; Barbette

The name Barbara originates from the Greek word "barbaros," meaning "foreign" or "strange." It was popularized in the Christian world due to Saint Barbara, a 3rd-century martyr revered in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. Historically, Barbara has been a common name in Europe, particularly in Italy and Germany. Notable bearers include Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States, and Barbara Walters, a pioneering journalist. The name has various cultural significances, often associated with strength and independence. Variants like Barbra and Barbie are also popular, with Barbie gaining fame through the iconic doll. Primarily a female name, Barbara's usage has seen fluctuations in popularity over the decades. In the 20th century, it peaked in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. Regionally, it remains popular in countries with strong Christian traditions. Contemporary relevance includes its use in literature and media, often portraying characters with resilience. Sibling names might include Elizabeth, Margaret, or John. Individuals named Barbara are often described as confident and nurturing.

Popularity of The Name Barbara

Barbara was a popular name in the United States during the mid-20th century, peaking in the 1930s and 1940s. It has since declined in usage but remains common in countries with strong Christian traditions, such as Italy and Poland.

Famous People Named Barbara

Barbara Bush

Former First Lady of the United States

Barbara Walters

Pioneering journalist and television personality

Barbara Streisand

Singer, actress, and filmmaker

Barbara Jordan

American politician and civil rights leader

Interesting Facts About the Name Barbara

Most common surname :

Smith

Most common spouse name :

John

Most common child name :

Michael

Peak birth year :

1947 in the United States

Characteristics :

Confident, nurturing, independent

Professional orientation :

Often found in Education: healthcare, and media

Historical significance :

Popularized by Saint Barbara in Christian tradition

Pop culture significance :

Associated with the Barbie doll

Linguistic origin :

Derived from the Greek word "barbaros

Explore Your Genealogy

The most popular genealogy profiles named Barbara

Barbara Smith	Barbara Brown	Barbara Johnson	Barbara Williams
Barbara Jones	Barbara Miller	Barbara Taylor	Barbara Moore
Barbara Davis	Barbara Anderson	Barbara White	Barbara Thompson
Barbara Robinson	Barbara Lewis	Barbara Murphy	Barbara Wilson
Barbara Ann	Barbara Dwyer	Barbara Poole	Barbara Hall
Barbara Campbell	Barbara Clark	Barbara Kelly	Barbara Martin
Barbara Young	Barbara Mitchell	Barbara Harris	Barbara Scott
Barbara Hamilton	Barbara Collins	Barbara Adams	Barbara Cooper
Barbara Allen	Barbara Green	Barbara Thomas	Barbara Baker
Barbara Parker	Barbara Stewart	Barbara Brooks	Barbara Murray
Barbara Morris	Barbara Ferguson	Barbara Evans	Barbara Walker
Barbara Kennedy	Barbara Hunter	Barbara Lee	Barbara Sullivan
Barbara McDonald	Barbara Davidson	Barbara Bennett	Barbara Reid
Barbara Richardson	Barbara Hill	Barbara Ryan	Barbara Crawford
Barbara Graham	Barbara Roberts	Barbara Jackson	Barbara King
Barbara Johnston	Barbara Butler	Barbara Downey	Barbara Alexander
Barbara Phillips	Barbara Griffin	Barbara Wright	Barbara Gibson
Barbara Benson	Barbara Dare	Barbara Wood	Barbara Matthews
Barbara Walsh	Barbara Wallace	Barbara Shaw	Barbara Nelson
Barbara Rose	Barbara Edwards	Barbara Hughes	Barbara Mills
Barbara Burns	Barbara Rowe	Barbara Reynolds	Barbara Ross
Barbara Jean	Barbara Hunt	Barbara Bailey	Barbara Watson
Barbara Lawrence	Barbara Webster	Barbara Armstrong	Barbara Lane
Barbara James	Barbara Payne	Barbara Cole	Barbara Jordan
Barbara Jenkins	Barbara Lighter	Barbara Harvey	Barbara Howard
Barbara Stevens	Barbara Carroll	Barbara Nichols	Barbara Grant
Barbara Weiss	Barbara Pierson	Barbara Riley	Barbara Cunningham
Barbara Black	Barbara Fisher	Barbara Ward	Barbara West
Barbara Knight	Barbara Barrett	Barbara Day	Barbara Gardner
Barbara Gross	Barbara Robertson	Barbara Kerr	Barbara Bell
Barbara Chapman	Barbara Greene	Barbara Hart	Barbara Lynch
Barbara Morgan	Barbara Russell	Barbara Freeman	Barbara Turner
Barbara Potter	Barbara Wagner	Barbara Bambara	Barbara Fox
Barbara Henderson	Barbara Cummings	Barbara Morrison	Barbara Wells
Barbara Elliott	Barbara Anne	Barbara Cooke	Barbara Thomson
Barbara McPherson	Barbara Reed	Barbara Barnes	Barbara Clarke
Barbara Peterson	Barbara Bates	Barbara Tucker	Barbara Doherty
Barbara Oliver	Barbara Gray	Barbara Goldstein	Barbara Macdonald
Barbara Porter	Barbara Rogers	Barbara Arnold	Barbara Carter
Barbara Harrison	Barbara Sanders	Barbara Friedman	Barbara Gallagher
Barbara Dixon	Barbara Holmes	Barbara Stevenson	Barbara Berry
Barbara Goodman	Barbara Hawkins	Barbara French	Barbara Coleman
Barbara Cowan	Barbara Marshall	Barbara Berger	Barbara Gill
Barbara Long	Barbara Morigerato	Barbara Schneider	Barbara Gordon
Barbara Hardy	Barbara Kent	Barbara McKay	Barbara Foster
Barbara McCoy	Barbara Hubbard	Barbara Levinson	Barbara Andrews
Barbara McCarthy	Barbara Allan	Barbara Davies	Barbara Ritchie
Barbara Craig	Barbara Jacobs	Barbara May	Barbara Peters
Barbara Baldwin	Barbara Bradley	Barbara Little	Barbara Walter
Barbara Gregory	Barbara Levine	Barbara Simmons	Barbara Stephens
Barbara Merrill	Barbara Barker	Barbara Bowen	Barbara Farrell
Barbara Hurley	Barbara Keller	Barbara Powell	Barbara Powers
Barbara Inserra	Barbara Cook	Barbara Duncan	Barbara Lang
Barbara Mason	Barbara Perry	Barbara Harper	Barbara Meyer
Barbara Patterson	Barbara Price	Barbara Rice	Barbara Caola
Barbara Melsom	Barbara Salisbury	Barbara Beaulieu	Barbara McGee
Barbara Quinn	Barbara Barton	Barbara Briggs	Barbara Ellis
Barbara Stone	Barbara Jensen	Barbara Leblanc	Barbara Hopkins
Barbara Shea	Barbara Heath	Barbara Lawson	Barbara Atkinson
Barbara Lucas	Barbara Osborne	Barbara Dawson	Barbara McMillan
Barbara Wardell	Barbara Douglas	Barbara Whitaker	Barbara Franklin
Barbara Wilkinson	Barbara Bruce	Barbara Dunn	Barbara Hebert
Barbara McLean	Barbara Schmidt	Barbara Hoffman	Barbara Brewer
Barbara Minchin	Barbara Sinclair	Barbara Montgomery	Barbara Barlow
Barbara Burke	Barbara Woods	Barbara Owens	Barbara Frost
Barbara O-Connor	Barbara Hutchinson	Barbara Rowan	Barbara Leger
Barbara Burgess	Barbara Cameron	Barbara McMahon	Barbara Wall
Barbara Eros	Barbara Carlson	Barbara Costa	Barbara McRae
Barbara Comeau	Barbara Hicks	Barbara Mann	Barbara Meyerson
Barbara Milligan	Barbara Sheppard	Barbara Allison	Barbara Burrows
Barbara Dickson	Barbara Haynes	Barbara Mackenzie	Barbara Moss
Barbara Cohen	Barbara Galea	Barbara Jacobson	Barbara Page
Barbara Webb	Barbara Fletcher	Barbara Carpenter	Barbara English
Barbara Holland	Barbara Keith	Barbara Muller	Barbara Owen
Barbara Reilly	Barbara Wheeler	Barbara Daniel	Barbara Fischer
Barbara Frazier	Barbara Klein	Barbara Lowe	Barbara Nugent
Barbara Terry	Barbara Dube	Barbara Parent	Barbara Belanger
Barbara Bishop	Barbara Brock	Barbara Bryan	Barbara Dyer
Barbara Ford	Barbara Fowler	Barbara Frank	Barbara George
Barbara Higgins	Barbara Kelley	Barbara Levy	Barbara Nicholson
Barbara Norris	Barbara Palmer	Barbara Kaplan	Barbara Truncale
Barbara Coughlin	Barbara Haines	Barbara Malcolm	Barbara Cox
Barbara Curtis	Barbara Lamb	Barbara Abrams	Barbara Ball
Barbara Fraser	Barbara Moran	Barbara Banks	Barbara Flanagan
Barbara Tyler	Barbara Richard	Barbara Harding	Barbara Hickey
Barbara Mac-Donald	Barbara Schuett	Barbara Myers	Barbara Trottenberg
Barbara Watters	Barbara Beckett	Barbara Clayton	Barbara Holloway
Barbara Houston	Barbara Kirkland	Barbara Leavitt	Barbara Mobley
Barbara Newton	Barbara Smyth	Barbara Watts	Barbara Durocher
Barbara Ferris	Barbara Andersen	Barbara Bateman	Barbara Burton
Barbara Chadwick	Barbara Curry	Barbara Egan	Barbara Fields
Barbara Glover	Barbara Marion	Barbara Parsons	Barbara Pope
Barbara Sanford	Barbara Sharpe	Barbara Strickland	Barbara Sutton
Barbara Bunting	Barbara Dow	Barbara Gifford	Barbara Koch
Barbara McCormick	Barbara Miles	Barbara Reese	Barbara Roth
Barbara Weston	Barbara Wiener	Barbara Bernstein	Barbara Conner
Barbara Godfrey	Barbara Hannah	Barbara Harrington	Barbara Marks
Barbara Moody	Barbara Pearson	Barbara Peck	Barbara Riehl
Barbara Rubin	Barbara Rutherford	Barbara Wilkins	Barbara Brennan
Barbara Perkins	Barbara Pollock	Barbara Steele	Barbara Barr

The most popular genealogy profiles named Barbara

Barbara Smith	Barbara Brown
Barbara Johnson	Barbara Williams
Barbara Jones	Barbara Miller
Barbara Taylor	Barbara Moore
Barbara Davis	Barbara Anderson
Barbara White	Barbara Thompson
Barbara Robinson	Barbara Lewis
Barbara Murphy	Barbara Wilson
Barbara Ann	Barbara Dwyer
Barbara Poole	Barbara Hall
Barbara Campbell	Barbara Clark
Barbara Kelly	Barbara Martin
Barbara Young	Barbara Mitchell
Barbara Harris	Barbara Scott
Barbara Hamilton	Barbara Collins
Barbara Adams	Barbara Cooper
Barbara Allen	Barbara Green
Barbara Thomas	Barbara Baker
Barbara Parker	Barbara Stewart
Barbara Brooks	Barbara Murray
Barbara Morris	Barbara Ferguson
Barbara Evans	Barbara Walker
Barbara Kennedy	Barbara Hunter
Barbara Lee	Barbara Sullivan
Barbara McDonald	Barbara Davidson
Barbara Bennett	Barbara Reid
Barbara Richardson	Barbara Hill
Barbara Ryan	Barbara Crawford
Barbara Graham	Barbara Roberts
Barbara Jackson	Barbara King
Barbara Johnston	Barbara Butler
Barbara Downey	Barbara Alexander
Barbara Phillips	Barbara Griffin
Barbara Wright	Barbara Gibson
Barbara Benson	Barbara Dare
Barbara Wood	Barbara Matthews
Barbara Walsh	Barbara Wallace
Barbara Shaw	Barbara Nelson
Barbara Rose	Barbara Edwards
Barbara Hughes	Barbara Mills
Barbara Burns	Barbara Rowe
Barbara Reynolds	Barbara Ross
Barbara Jean	Barbara Hunt
Barbara Bailey	Barbara Watson
Barbara Lawrence	Barbara Webster
Barbara Armstrong	Barbara Lane
Barbara James	Barbara Payne
Barbara Cole	Barbara Jordan
Barbara Jenkins	Barbara Lighter
Barbara Harvey	Barbara Howard
Barbara Stevens	Barbara Carroll
Barbara Nichols	Barbara Grant
Barbara Weiss	Barbara Pierson
Barbara Riley	Barbara Cunningham
Barbara Black	Barbara Fisher
Barbara Ward	Barbara West
Barbara Knight	Barbara Barrett
Barbara Day	Barbara Gardner
Barbara Gross	Barbara Robertson
Barbara Kerr	Barbara Bell
Barbara Chapman	Barbara Greene
Barbara Hart	Barbara Lynch
Barbara Morgan	Barbara Russell
Barbara Freeman	Barbara Turner
Barbara Potter	Barbara Wagner
Barbara Bambara	Barbara Fox
Barbara Henderson	Barbara Cummings
Barbara Morrison	Barbara Wells
Barbara Elliott	Barbara Anne
Barbara Cooke	Barbara Thomson
Barbara McPherson	Barbara Reed
Barbara Barnes	Barbara Clarke
Barbara Peterson	Barbara Bates
Barbara Tucker	Barbara Doherty
Barbara Oliver	Barbara Gray
Barbara Goldstein	Barbara Macdonald
Barbara Porter	Barbara Rogers
Barbara Arnold	Barbara Carter
Barbara Harrison	Barbara Sanders
Barbara Friedman	Barbara Gallagher
Barbara Dixon	Barbara Holmes
Barbara Stevenson	Barbara Berry
Barbara Goodman	Barbara Hawkins
Barbara French	Barbara Coleman
Barbara Cowan	Barbara Marshall
Barbara Berger	Barbara Gill
Barbara Long	Barbara Morigerato
Barbara Schneider	Barbara Gordon
Barbara Hardy	Barbara Kent
Barbara McKay	Barbara Foster
Barbara McCoy	Barbara Hubbard
Barbara Levinson	Barbara Andrews
Barbara McCarthy	Barbara Allan
Barbara Davies	Barbara Ritchie
Barbara Craig	Barbara Jacobs
Barbara May	Barbara Peters
Barbara Baldwin	Barbara Bradley
Barbara Little	Barbara Walter
Barbara Gregory	Barbara Levine
Barbara Simmons	Barbara Stephens

Other names starting with B

Explore other names starting with B to help you discover related genealogy records.

Baby	Balthazar	Barry	Belinda
Bella	Benjamin	Bernadette	Bernard
Bernice	Bertha	Beverly	Bill
Billie	Billy	Blaise	Bobby
Bonnie	Brenda	Brian	Bryan

Explore other names starting with B to help you discover related genealogy records.

Baby	Balthazar
Barry	Belinda
Bella	Benjamin
Bernadette	Bernard
Bernice	Bertha
Beverly	Bill
Billie	Billy
Blaise	Bobby
Bonnie	Brenda
Brian	Bryan

Explore first names - their meanings, origins, and interesting facts

Continue to explore other first names and their meanings, origins, and interesting facts

Adele	Alma	Christ	Danny
Dolores	Eileen	Eric	Gabriel
Gregory	Harry	Isabella	Joel
Lindsay	Lottie	Lumina	Marina
May	Michael	Philippe	Richard

Continue to explore other first names and their meanings, origins, and interesting facts

Adele	Alma
Christ	Danny
Dolores	Eileen
Eric	Gabriel
Gregory	Harry
Isabella	Joel
Lindsay	Lottie
Lumina	Marina
May	Michael
Philippe	Richard

Other family names that are common with Barbara

Discover common family names associated with the first name Barbara to help you find related genealogy records.

Family Name	Popularity
Smith	0.61%
Brown	0.51%
Johnson	0.4%
Williams	0.34%
Jones	0.33%
Miller	0.33%
Taylor	0.29%
Moore	0.29%
Davis	0.26%
Anderson	0.24%
White	0.24%
Thompson	0.23%
Robinson	0.22%
Lewis	0.21%
Murphy	0.2%
Dwyer	0.2%
Poole	0.2%
Wilson	0.2%
Hall	0.19%
Kelly	0.19%