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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Foreign woman, stranger
- Origin
- Greek
- Gender
- Girl
- Pronunciation
- BAR-bruh
Barbara is a classic girl's name of Greek origin, pronounced BAR-bruh, that means "foreign woman" or "stranger." It has a vintage feel, the kind of name that sounds like it belongs to a grandmother's generation yet still reads as timeless and classic. If you want a name with deep roots and an old-fashioned warmth, Barbara delivers both.
Meaning & Origin of Barbara
Meaning: Foreign woman, stranger.
Origin: Greek.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Barbara
BAR-bruhIPA /ˈbɑːrbrə/
Popularity of Barbara
Barbara reached #2 in the U.S. in 1937, when 34,917 babies were given the name. By 2024 it had slipped to #860, with 313 babies named Barbara that year.
Names Like Barbara
These names share Barbara’s style, era or origin.
FAQ
What does the name Barbara mean?
Foreign woman, stranger. (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Barbara?
Barbara is pronounced BAR-bruh (IPA: /ˈbɑːrbrə/).
Is Barbara a popular name right now?
Barbara peaked at #2 in 1937 and is ranked #860 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Barbara Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Barbara, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Barbara? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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