Comments for BARBARA:

Barbara has a pedigree stretching all the way by to the Homeric Proto-Greeks, who couldn’t understand their Persian (and other) neighbors. To them, many such tongues sounded like a stammering repetition of "Bar-Bar-Bar..." hence the term Barbarian for such an obviously uncivilized outlander.

-- tiaparker  2/7/2005

It also means "stranger," "exotic." Short names or pet names are Babs and Barbie. This is also my Grandmother's name.

-- Tbird  6/27/2005

"Barbara" is the feminine form of the Latin word "barbarus", meaning "wild, free, untamed". I think it is a very strong name to bear as it also stands for independence.

-- Paganqueen  7/16/2005

Barbara can be shortened to 'Barb'. When I was a baby, I called my mom Barbara instead of Mommy. Barbara is my mother's name.

-- Anonymous User  10/12/2005

This name is commonly used by the Amish.

-- Anonymous User  1/2/2006

Barbara Bush, former First Lady, wife of George Bush and mother of George W. Bush, is a famous bearer. President Bush has also named one of his twin daughters Barbara, after his mother.

-- Anonymous User  1/4/2006

This is my name, and I must admit it's never done much for me. That said, I don't find myself tripping over other Barbaras (it's kind of startling to me when I do!), and it ages well.

-- BarbaraEllen  1/7/2006

This is my mother's name and she's been called "Margaret" by one lady who insisted that that's what "Barbara" was the nickname for. Like "Bill" for "William."

-- Labonne  1/9/2006

I can't imagine anyone under the age of 40 having the name Barbara. It's a very middle aged name, and it seems a bit odd for a child to have it.

-- Anonymous User  2/20/2006

"Barbara Ann" is a popular song by The Beach Boys.

-- WeloveyouJesseLacey  3/4/2006

Well I can't say anything bad about this name, I know 3 great people with this name. My grandmother's name was Barbara Gladys, she went by the nickname Babs. My mum's name is Barbara but she goes by her middle name Diane. My friends name is Barbara, she wasn't too thrilled with her name while young but says she hasn't gotten used it now.

-- Anonymous User  4/25/2006

Famous bearer: Barbara Kodetová - Czech actress. Jiří Kodet´s daughter and Kristián Kodet´s niece.

-- Maggie_Simpson  7/24/2006

Famous bearer is Barbara Mandrell, one of the greatest country singers of all time.

-- audreyhubley  8/5/2006

And for all you Veggie Tales fans, the wonderful silly song, "Barbara Manatee". :)

-- rain-angel03  9/22/2006

One of the main characters in Beetlejuice was called Barbara.

-- claraelizabethann  9/29/2006

I know someone who is 34 and has the name Barbara. It isn't a bad name.

-- Anonymous User  10/9/2006

Famous novelist is named Barbara Michaels.

-- Anonymous User  11/28/2006

A not so famous bearer of this name is Barbara Cook, who played Cunegonde in the Broadway production of 'Candide', which was first a novel by Voltaire.

-- Moon  12/30/2006

Barbara Stanwyck was a famous actress between the years 1927-1964. She starred in 'Baby Face' (1933) amongst other brilliant movies.

-- mashlover  1/18/2007

My sister's name is Barbara Jeanine and I always wanted to have her name. She seemed to fit it perfectly she's so elegant and graceful. Even when she was little it fit her. I would have given it to my daughter Therese-Clare but I didn't want to steal her name.

-- Anonymous User  1/24/2007

I do not think it is a name for old ladies. In Slovenia it is a very popular name. My sister is Barbara and we call her Barbi - in English it is like Barbie. I like the name.

-- katarina ana  2/28/2007

Spooky, my mom is named Barbara and is a geologist! Saint Barbara was the patron of geologists!

-- chocolatebox527  7/17/2007

I think this is a very pretty name, but I can't imagine a little girl being called Barbara.

-- Honeyrose  7/29/2007

Actress Barbara O'Neil (1910-1980)

-- BlueSomehow  8/7/2007

Barbra Streisand. Apparently she changed the name from Barbara to Barbra because Jewish religion doesn't allow three same letters on the same name (correct me if I'm wrong).

-- Anonymous User  9/3/2007

Another bearer of this name is the famous doll Barbie! The inventor of the doll called her Barbie because that was the name of her daughter, Barbara.

-- Anonymous User  9/3/2007

Barbara Walters is a famous American journalist, writer, and media personality.

-- Anonymous User  9/21/2007

Barbara Spooner (1771-1847) was the wife of abolitionist and MP William Wilberforce, and mother of their six children. She was portrayed by actress Romola Garai in the film "Amazing Grace."

-- Kate  11/19/2007

My mother's name is Barbara. My father's name is Ken. I'm not kidding! Barbie and Ken! But don't EVER call her Barbie! Uh-oh! Or any variation except maybe Barb if you've known her for a decade or so! She was Bobbie Jo in high school and hated it, so careful with those middle names (forget Joan!). By the way, Barbara is BEAUTIFUL said with a French accent!

-- leananshae  11/25/2007

Barbara Wright, a companion of the First Doctor on "Doctor Who".

-- FMRadio  2/2/2008

Barbara Boxer is a famous bearer. She is the senator of California. And she is also included in the new book In Their Shoes by the author Deborah Reber.

-- Patricia Underwood  3/7/2008

That's my name, and one of the many reasons why I like it is that it's pretty much international and spelled the same everywhere. In my job I have to talk with people from countries all around the world, and any person I introduce myself to is able to write my name down correctly, everyone recognizes it - extremely practical, if you ask me. :)

-- Anonymous User  3/23/2008

I must say that the first thing that comes to my mind after reading or hearing this name is a middle-aged woman with a big 80s hair style, too much make-up in the eyes, red lips enhanced with silicone, a tight face that has been surgically altered to a point where it looks unnatural, long, red fake nails, silicone implant breasts, and some horrible fuchsia outfit. I've learned to associate the name with rather ditzy and shallow women with an unpleasant personality, but they're not all bad. I've gotten the impression that Barbara Ehrenreich is a pretty witty person.

-- slight night shiver  5/15/2008

Barbara Meier is a successful, young, redheaded, German fashion model.

-- platyfrog  5/20/2008

Actress Barbara Nedeljáková, born 16th May 1979, Bánská Bystrica.

-- Emilie007  9/30/2008

Not much given in France, as "barbe" means beard.

-- luxsword  10/25/2008

I can see an older woman (not old, but like in her late 20's or early 30's) called this these days, and back then I can see a little girl named Barbara. You know what I mean? It's an interesting name, not ugly or pretty, just interesting. But it does have it's class and grace to an extent.

-- _0TophasNails_1  11/24/2008

In Italy Barbara was overused in the 1970s. It was the most popular name in Rome in 1971, the 8th in 1976. Nevertheless, in Italian "barba" means "beard", and "Barbara" means "barbarian woman; uncivilized woman". But fashion is fashion.

-- presentperfect  12/19/2008

Barbara Kent is a former actress who starred alongside John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in the 1926 film Flesh and the Devil.

-- bananarama  3/16/2009

A famous bearer is American actress Barbara Harris (born July 25, 1935). She is known for her award-winning work in theatre (Tony Award for 'The Apple Tree') and film ('Who Is Harry Kellerman And Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?' (Academy Award nominee), 'Peggy Sue Got Married,' 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels').

-- AndrewJKD  3/18/2009

Well, the only people I know named Barbara are over 40, but my friend has a friend named Barbara Anne (age 12) who I can SO picture.

-- baileymarissa  5/5/2009

The German pronunciation is BAHR-bah-rah. [noted -ed]

-- mafiosa  8/6/2009

Also used in Croatia. [noted -ed]

-- goricar  11/12/2009

Comments for BÁRBARA:

This is my name and I absolutely love it - it's not a completely unheard of name, but it's still somewhat rare, and I love the sound of it. That's why I don't like it when people pronounce "Bárbara" or "Barbara" as "Barbra" - I also hate that spelling.

-- angelsariel  6/14/2008

Key: Meaning/History Usage Pronunciation Famous Bearer Personal Impression Other

Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.