Barbara

Meaning: Foreigner, stranger
Origin: From Greek via Latin

Nicknames: Barbie, Babs

Girl's name · #968 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Barbara was #2 back in 1937, spent 21 years inside the national top 5, and stands at #968 today. About 1.4 million girls have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

See where Barbara is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 21 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Barbara ranks in other countries and regions.

#45 in Poland (2025) · #176 in Mexico (2024) · #352 in Ecuador (2025) · #477 in Austria (2025) · #952 in Belgium (2025) · #994 in France (2025) · #1,913 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,465 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,117 in Canada (2024).

Famous Barbaras

Barbara McClintock — American scientist and cytogeneticist
Barbara Stanwyck — American actress (1907–1990)
Barbara Bush — First Lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993 (1925–2018)
Barbara Walters — American broadcast journalist (1929–2022)
Barbara Cartland — English writer and media personality (1901–2000)

In stories & tradition

Barbara Gordon — Batman: Gotham City Racer (video game)
Barbara Wright — Doctor Who (TV series)
Barbara Jeziorkowska — Fire in the Steppe (book)

What Barbaras become

Among 8,266 notable people named Barbara:

Medical professionals appear 1.98× more often than among typical names — e.g. Barbara Nath-Wiser, Austrian physician.

Spellings & nicknames

Earlier generations knew Barb — the standard of the 1960s.

Similar names: Ann · Bayleigh · Sandra · Kathleen · Patricia · Carolyn

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service