What does Barbara mean?

Barbara ▼ as a girls' name is pronounced BAR-bra. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Barbara 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. Actress Barbara Stanwyck; writer Barbara Tuchman; First Lady Barbara Bush.

STARTS/ENDS WITH Ba-, -ara

ASSOCIATED WITH greek, roman, saint, protector (defender), fire, lady (noble), bush (tree)

Variations

VARIANTS 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, Varina

SEE ALSO Barinda, Bunny, Wava

How popular is Barbara?

Barbara is a very popular first name for women (#4 out of 4276, Top 1%) and also a very popular surname for both adults and children (#10548 out of 150436, Top 7%). (2000 U.S. CENSUS)

Similar Names

Recommended sound-alike names are Bahira, Bakura, Balbina, Bambina, Bara, Barah, Barri, Barry, Barta, Bartha, Barucha, Bernarda, Berura, Borsala, Brana, Breana▼, Briana▼, Briar▲, Bryana▼, Bryar, Cantara, Charmara, Damara, Darra, Fabra (see Fabia), Farra, Hadara, Jahzara, Kaara, Kamara, Kanara, Karra, Lacara, Larra, Makara, Marmara, Marra, Nahara, Sabra, Sagara, Sahara, Samara▲, Sammara, Sarra, Tamara▼, Tammara, Tarra, Tashara and Zahara. These names tend to be less commonly used than Barbara.