Barbara

The first name Barbara means 'the foreigner'. The name derives from the Latin word barbara meaning 'foreign', 'strange', 'wild', which in turn comes from the Ancient Greek word bárbaros.

What does the name Barbara mean?

The first name Barbara means 'the foreigner'. The name derives from the Latin word barbara meaning 'foreign', 'strange', 'wild', which in turn comes from the Ancient Greek word bárbaros. With this onomatopoeic term, the ancient Greeks referred to 'non-Greeks', that is, people who did not have Greek heritage and especially did not speak the Greek language (particularly Germans), who in their eyes or ears only babbled and stammered (often just saying 'bar-bar-bar'). Over time, both the ancient Greeks and Romans adopted the term 'Barbarian', which initially referred to any person who did not belong to the Greco-Roman cultural sphere. It was only later that 'barbarians' came to derogatorily describe foreign peoples who were considered culturally inferior to Greco-Roman civilization. The first name Barbara became widespread in the Christian world of the Middle Ages through the veneration of Saint Barbara of Nicomedia, a martyr from the 3rd century. She is revered as a saint and patroness of miners and artillery in both the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches and is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Her feast day is December 4, known as 'Barbara Day'. Today, the name Barbara is common in many different linguistic areas, particularly in English and German. With nearly four million bearers, Barbara is even among the most common female first names worldwide. In Germany, the name Barbara was especially popular in the mid-20th century but began to fall out of fashion around the 1970s. Notable bearers of the name include German presenter Barbara Schöneberger and Austrian actress Barbara Wussow. Common short forms of Barbara in German are Babs, Babsi, Bärbel, and Bärbl. International variants of Barbara include Barbe and Babette (French), Barbora (Czech), Barbra and Barbie (English), Borbála (Hungarian), as well as Varvara and Warwara (Russian).

Where does the name Barbara come from?

Etymology Barbara is a female first name of Ancient Greek and Latin origin meaning 'the foreigner'. Ancient Greek Latin

How do you pronounce Barbara?

Sound & pronunciation of Barbara: The name Barbara is pronounced with three to four syllables and has a rhythmic quality. In German pronunciation, it is usually spoken as 'Bar-ba-ra' [ˈbaʁbaʁa], with the repetition of syllables creating a smooth flow of sound. The open vowels give the name warmth. Barbara has a classic and powerful presence - traditional, stable, and prominent.

When is the name day of Barbara?

The name day for Barbara is December 4 (Barbara Day) in memory of Saint Barbara of Nicomedia.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Barbara for girls was predominantly ranked between the top 60 and top 95 from 1880 to the late 1920s. It was thus part of the extended midfield and was regularly represented, but not part of the top group. From 1930, there was a significant surge in popularity. In the 1940s and 1950s, the name repeatedly reached the top 10, including a 6th place ranking in 1940, 1942, 1946, and 1952, as well as an outstanding top 5 ranking in 1954.

Nicknames & pet names

Ba / Baba / BaBaBa / Babala / Babara / Babella / Babelli / Babetta / Babette / Babi / Babirsa / Babo / Babs / Babsch / Babsche / Babschi / Babschka / Babse / Babsi / Babsie / Babsili / Babsirella / Babsl / Babsy / Babushka / Balbala / Bar / Bara / Barabell / Barabie / Barabienchen / Barabiene / Barara / Barb / Barbaraella / Barbaranne / Barbarell / Barbarella / Barbariana / Barbarie / Barbarienchen / Barbarin / Barbarina / Barbarine / Barbarini / Barbarita / Barbaruscka / Barbe / Barbera / Barbi / Barbie / Barbira / Barbirie / Barbora / Barby / Barella / Bari / Baribell / Baribella / Baribelli / Barica / Barice / Barie / Bariella / Barike / Barilie / Baris / Bas / Basia / Bawett / Bee / Berry / Betti / Betty / Bewe / Bibi / Bibs / Bibsi / Bigband / Bonobo / Bra / Bäbchen / Bärbel / Bäwelle / Knödel / Ra / Raba / Rabarba / Rabea / Rhababa / Rhabarbara / Wawe / Weti / Wetti / Wonderbra / Wunderbara

Similar first names

Famous people

• Babara Huntington (character from the anime Robin Hood)
• Barbara "Barbi" Markovic (Serbian writer)
• Barbara (character) (character from the animated film 'Finding Nemo')
• Barbara (fairy tale character) (character from the fairy tale film 'Three Feathers')
• Barbara (pseudonym) (street art and action artist)
• Barbara Allende Gil de Biedma (Spanish photographer)
• Barbara Anderson (American actress)
• Barbara Ann Kelly (was a singer and dancer with the Kelly Family)
• Barbara Arenhart (Brazilian handball player)
• Barbara Auer (German actress)
• Barbara Becker (ex-wife of Boris Becker)
• Barbara Bel Geddes (American actress)
• Barbara Blocksberg (character from Bibi Blocksberg (mother of Bibi))
• Barbara Brylska (Polish and Russian actress)
• Barbara Colio (German writer)
• Barbara Dickson (singer from Great Britain)
• Barbara Dunst (football player)
• Barbara Eden (American actress)
• Barbara Eligmann (presenter)
• Barbara Elorrieta (actress from Spain)