What Does the Name Barbara Mean?
Barbara is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning “foreign, stranger.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Barbara |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Greek |
| Meaning | foreign, stranger |
| Variants | Barbra, Barb, Babette, Varvara, Barbie |
| Popularity | A top US girls' name in the 1930s-1940s |
The meaning and origin of Barbara
The name Barbara means “foreign, stranger” and has Greek origins. From the Greek barbaros, meaning 'foreign' or 'strange' (originally imitating unintelligible speech). It was borne by Saint Barbara, an early Christian martyr, which carried the name into widespread medieval and modern use.
Variants and related names
Barbara is related to several other names you may recognize: Barbra, Barb, Babette, Varvara, Barbie. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Barbara?
A top US girls' name in the 1930s-1940s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Barbara mean?+
The name Barbara means “foreign, stranger” and is of Greek origin.
What is the origin of the name Barbara?+
Barbara originates from Greek.
Is Barbara a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Barbara has trended in the US over time.
Barbara by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press