Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Barbie
GirlEnglish, Greek· “pet form of Barbara, "foreign woman"”
- Meaning
- pet form of Barbara, "foreign woman"
- Origin
- English, Greek
- Pronunciation
- BAR-bee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #4,277
- US babies 2025
- 33
- Best rank
- #756 (1964)
- Peak year
- 1964
Meaning and origin of Barbie
Barbie is an English and Greek name that means “pet form of Barbara, "foreign woman"”.
Barbie is a pet form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, "foreign," the word Greeks used for people who did not speak Greek. Saint Barbara, a legendary martyr, made Barbara popular across Europe. Barbie became a common nickname in the twentieth century, and in 1959 Mattel launched the Barbie doll, whose full fictional name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. The doll has shaped the name's image ever since, and the Barbie film of 2023 revived the association. It is said BAR-bee. Parents who like the name often put Barbara on documents and keep Barbie for everyday use.
Popularity over time
Barbie first appears in US Social Security records in 1936. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 8 different years, starting in 1961. Its best national rank was #756 in 1964, the same year it reached its highest count of 190 babies. In 2025, 33 babies were named Barbie, and it ranked #4,277 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,349 in 1950, #1,583 in 1980, #5,167 in 2000, #4,206 in 2010, and #4,277 in 2025. Of the 4,204 US girls named Barbie since records began, 32% were born in the 1960s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 868 babies. Since 2010, 501 more have been named Barbie.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Dedra, Bettina, Kandy, Twyla, and Lanette.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Barbie ranked highest in Pennsylvania.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | #521 | 20 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Barbie is usually pronounced BAR-bee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with B and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Barbie
A few middle names that flow with Barbie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Barbie
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Lists that include Barbie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Barbie mean?
Barbie is an English and Greek name that means “pet form of Barbara, "foreign woman"”.
What is the origin of the name Barbie?
Barbie has English and Greek roots. Barbie is a pet form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, "foreign," the word Greeks used for people who did not speak Greek.
Is Barbie a popular name?
Not especially. Barbie ranked #4,277 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Barbie a boy or girl name?
Barbie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Barbie?
Barbie is usually pronounced BAR-bee. 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