Barbara - name meaning, origin

The girl's name Barbara \b(a)-rba-

is pronounced BAR-bra. It is of Latin origin, and its meaning is "foreign woman". The adjective was originally applied to anyone who did not speak Greek; it has the same root as "barbarian". In Roman Catholic custom, Saint Barbara is invoked as a protector against fire and lightning; she is patron saint of architects, stonemasons, and fortifications. Barbra is a spelling variant made familiar by singer/actress/film director Barbra Streisand. Many people may associate the name with the popular doll Barbie, which with Babs, are informal pet forms. Barb is the short form. Actress Barbara Stanwyck; writer Barbara Tuchman; First Lady Barbara Bush.

Barbara has 53 variant forms: Bab, Baba, Babara, Babb, Babbett, Babbette, Babbie, Babe, Babett, Babette, Babita, Babs, Baibin, Barabara, Barb, Barbar, Barbarella, Barbarit, Barbarita, Barbeeleen, Barbel, Barbera, Barbette, Barbey, Barbi, Barbie, Barbora, Barbra, Barbro, Barby, Barra, Basha, Basia, Baubie, Bauby, Beba, Bebe, Berbera, Berberia, Berberya, Berbya, Bibi, Bobbe, Bobbee, Bobbi, Bobbie, Bobby, Bonni, Bonnie, Bonny, Borbala, Varvara and Varina.

For more information, see also related names Barinda, Bunny and Wava.

Barbara is a very common first name for women (#4 out of 4276) and also a very common last name for both men and women (#11413 out of 88799). (1990 U.S. Census)

Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl name Barbara. Compare Barbara with its variant forms and related girl names.

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