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At a Glance: Name: Barnaby – Meaning: son of the prophet – Origin: Aramaic (medieval English vernacular form of Barnabas) – Gender: primarily used for boys – Pronunciation: BAR-nuh-bee
Barnaby is the medieval English form of Barnabas, an Aramaic name most accurately translated as 'son of the prophet.' You may see it described elsewhere as meaning 'son of consolation' or 'son of encouragement' — that's the traditional gloss carried over from the Biblical Barnabas in Acts 4:36, but the more literal Aramaic root points to 'son of the prophet.' It's a name with real linguistic history behind it, not just a pleasant sound.
Meaning & Origin of Barnaby
Meaning: Son of the prophet.
Origin: Aramaic (medieval English vernacular form of Barnabas).
A common claim: Widely said to mean 'son of consolation' or 'son of encouragement.' Actually: That's the traditional gloss inherited from the Biblical Barnabas (Acts 4:36); the more literal Aramaic root is closer to 'son of the prophet.'
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Barnaby
Phonetic: BAR-nuh-bee IPA: /ˈbɑːrnəbi/
Popularity of Barnaby
Barnaby's popularity peaked at #2204 back in 1974, when 19 babies were given the name; by 2024 it had dropped to #9996, with only 7 babies receiving it.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1953–2024.
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Free printable nursery art for Barnaby, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Barnaby mean?
Son of the prophet. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Barnaby)
How do you pronounce Barnaby?
Barnaby is pronounced BAR-nuh-bee (IPA: /ˈbɑːrnəbi/).
Is Barnaby a popular name right now?
Barnaby peaked at #2204 in 1974 and is ranked #9996 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1953–2024.)
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