Barnabas - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's name Barnabas \b(a)-rna-bas, bar-nabas\ is pronounced BAR-na-bus. It is of Greek and Aramaic origin, and its meaning is "son of consolation". Greek form of an Aramaic name. Biblical: Saint Barnabas was a first-century missionary companion of Paul and uncle of the gospeler Mark. Barnaby is used more often now in Britain. One of Charles Dicken's lesser-known novels is named "Barnaby Rudge". The name is used from time to time among literary parents. Bernabe is a Spanish form.

Barnabas has 17 variant forms: Barna, Barnaba, Barnabé, Barnabee, Barnabey, Barnabie, Barnabus, Barnaby, Barnebas, Barnebus, Barney, Barni, Barnie, Barny, Bernabé, Bernabe and Burnaby.

Barnabas is a very rare male first name and a very rare surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the boy's name Barnabas. Click here to compare Barnabas with related baby names.