Barbara
Peaked at #2 nationally in 1937, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Barbara has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Barbara derives from the Greek word "barbaros," meaning "foreign" or "strange" — the root from which English also gets "barbarian." It was borne by Saint Barbara, a semi-legendary early Christian martyr venerated since at least the 7th century, whose popularity across medieval Europe carried the name into common use. It became especially fashionable in the English-speaking world in the mid-20th century.
Notable people & culture
Former First Lady Barbara Bush and longtime broadcast journalist Barbara Walters are among the name's best-known American bearers, along with actress Barbara Stanwyck. The related spelling Barbra was famously adopted by singer and actress Barbra Streisand. Common nicknames include Barb and Barbie, the latter also lending its name to the iconic Mattel doll.
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Barbara — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#2
in 1937
Current rank
#860
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
Tracked since 1880, Barbara reached its peak popularity for girls in 1937, ranking #2 nationally with 34,917 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has slipped from #849 (2014) to #860 (2024) — a 1% drop.
As of 2024, Barbara ranks #860 nationally for girls, with 313 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #860 | 313 |
| 2023 | #876 | 307 |
| 2022 | #966 | 276 |
| 2021 | #904 | 299 |
| 2020 | #887 | 300 |
| 2019 | #922 | 287 |
| 2018 | #920 | 291 |
| 2017 | #894 | 301 |
Barbara — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#454
in 1938
Last ranked
#8819
in 1993
Years tracked
79
1913–1993
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1913, Barbara reached its peak popularity for boys in 1938, ranking #454 nationally with 162 babies given the name that year.
Barbara hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1993, when it stood at #8819.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | #8,819 | 5 |
| 1992 | #6,728 | 7 |
| 1991 | #5,555 | 9 |
| 1990 | #8,226 | 5 |
| 1989 | #4,844 | 10 |
| 1988 | #4,818 | 9 |
| 1987 | #4,600 | 9 |
| 1986 | #4,889 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Barbara most popular?
Barbara was most popular in 1937, when it ranked #2 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Barbara becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Barbara?
At least 1,440,537 babies have been recorded with the name Barbara in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
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