Barbara Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationBAR-buh-rah / /ˈbɑːrbəra/Greek; Latin
Meaning
Greek: foreign woman; Latin: traveler
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Barbara has roots in the Greek word 'barbaros,' meaning foreign or strange. It became popular in Christian contexts due to Saint Barbara, a martyr from the 3rd century. The name has been used in various cultures and languages, often associated with strength and resilience. In the Middle Ages, it gained popularity in Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain.
Trend Summary
The name Barbara has seen a decline in popularity in the United States since the mid-20th century.
Similar Names
Variants
- Barb
- Babs
International Variants
- Barbara (Italian)
- Barbara (Spanish)
- Bárbara (Portuguese)
- Barbare (Albanian)
Famous people named Barbara
Barbara Walters was a renowned American broadcast journalist and television personality.
Barbara Streisand is an acclaimed American singer, actress, and filmmaker.
Barbara Bush served as the First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
Barbara Kingsolver is an American novelist known for her works focusing on social issues.
Fictional characters named Barbara
Barbara Gordon is a character in the DC Comics universe, known as Batgirl and Oracle.
Barbara Allen is a character in the traditional ballad 'Barbara Allen,' which tells a tragic love story.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Barbara was first seen in the United States in 1913. Barbara has ranked as high as #765 nationally, which occurred in 1942, and has been most popular in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, and Ohio. In the past 5 years the name Barbara has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Barbara (1989)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DC | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1913 | 7 |
| 1916 | 5 |
| 1917 | 6 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1919 | 7 |
| 1920 | 9 |
| 1921 | 11 |
| 1922 | 10 |
| 1923 | 10 |
| 1924 | 12 |
| 1925 | 26 |
| 1926 | 35 |
| 1927 | 41 |
| 1928 | 44 |
| 1929 | 63 |
| 1930 | 74 |
| 1931 | 84 |
| 1932 | 103 |
| 1933 | 119 |
| 1934 | 118 |
| 1935 | 124 |
| 1936 | 110 |
| 1937 | 144 |
| 1938 | 162 |
| 1939 | 150 |
| 1940 | 140 |
| 1941 | 155 |
| 1942 | 164 |
| 1943 | 150 |
| 1944 | 121 |
| 1945 | 87 |
| 1946 | 109 |
| 1947 | 89 |
| 1948 | 76 |
| 1949 | 67 |
| 1950 | 70 |
| 1951 | 70 |
| 1952 | 74 |
| 1953 | 72 |
| 1954 | 57 |
| 1955 | 80 |
| 1956 | 75 |
| 1957 | 68 |
| 1958 | 59 |
| 1959 | 67 |
| 1960 | 64 |
| 1961 | 56 |
| 1962 | 76 |
| 1963 | 64 |
| 1964 | 49 |
| 1965 | 42 |
| 1966 | 45 |
| 1967 | 43 |
| 1968 | 34 |
| 1969 | 31 |
| 1970 | 24 |
| 1971 | 27 |
| 1972 | 22 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1974 | 12 |
| 1975 | 18 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1977 | 16 |
| 1978 | 8 |
| 1979 | 15 |
| 1980 | 13 |
| 1981 | 14 |
| 1982 | 11 |
| 1983 | 9 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 9 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 10 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1991 | 9 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1993 | 5 |