Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Barbara
GirlGreek, Latin· “foreign woman”
- Meaning
- foreign woman
- Origin
- Greek, Latin
- Pronunciation
- BAR-bruh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #968
- US babies 2025
- 264
- Best rank
- #2 (1937)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Barbara
Barbara is a Greek and Latin name that means “foreign woman”.
Barbara comes from the Greek barbaros, meaning "foreign" or "strange," a word the Greeks used for people who did not speak Greek. Saint Barbara, an early martyr of legend, was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages and is the patron of miners, artillerymen and those in danger of sudden death. The name was widely used across Europe, and in the United States it was a leading girls' name in the mid twentieth century. The former first lady Barbara Bush is a well-known bearer. Barb, Babs and Barbie are traditional nicknames.
Popularity over time
Barbara has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #2 in 1937, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 48,800 were named Barbara. In 2025, 264 babies were named Barbara, and it ranked #968 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #47 in 1920, #4 in 1950, #120 in 1980, #505 in 2000, #692 in 2010, and #968 in 2025. Of the 1,436,695 US girls named Barbara since records began, 30% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 345,722 babies. Since 2010, 5,028 more have been named Barbara.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Sandra, Carol, Nancy, Sharon, and Judy.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Barbara ranked highest in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Iowa.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #416 | 26 |
| Kentucky | #449 | 9 |
| Iowa | #509 | 6 |
| Indiana | #514 | 13 |
| Missouri | #520 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Barbara is usually pronounced BAR-bruh, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with B and ends in “-ra”.
Middle names for Barbara
A few middle names that flow with Barbara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Barbara
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Lists that include Barbara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Barbara mean?
Barbara is a Greek and Latin name that means “foreign woman”.
What is the origin of the name Barbara?
Barbara has Greek and Latin roots. Barbara comes from the Greek barbaros, meaning "foreign" or "strange," a word the Greeks used for people who did not speak Greek.
Is Barbara a popular name?
Yes. Barbara ranked #968 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Barbara a boy or girl name?
Barbara is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Barbara?
Barbara is usually pronounced BAR-bruh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings