Comments for the name 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.

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

"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.

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.

This name is commonly used by the Amish.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

One of the main characters in Beetlejuice was called Barbara.

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

Famous novelist is named Barbara Michaels.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Actress Barbara O'Neil (1910-1980)

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).

A previous poster suggests that Barbra Streisand dropped the middle -a- because of a Jewish taboo on three identical letters in the same name. Maybe; maybe not; but in the 1940s and 1950s especially, Barbara was a very popular name for Jewish girls in South Africa and not one of them was Barbra to my knowledge. Their families ranged from the extremely devout and observant to very ordinary atheists.

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.

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

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."

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!

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

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.

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. :)

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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').

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.

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

Also used in Croatia. [noted -ed]

Barbara Ruick played Carrie Pipperidge in the musical "Carousel" in 1956.

This is my mom's name, and I like it. It's so cool that I am a geologist and my mother's name is Barbara, since she is the patron saint of geologists!

A famous bearer of the name is a fictional character from the young adult novel 'Penny From Heaven' (2006)-- the main character's name is Barbara, but she prefers to be called "Penny" after the Bing Crosby song, 'Pennies From Heaven.' The name "Barbara" was very popular in the 1940s and 1950s, which is why many middle-aged and elderly people bear this name.

Bobbie is a common nickname for Barbara. It's the one my mom uses, since she hates Barb, Barbie, or Babs. Her full name is Barbara Anne, like the song. I always tease her about that. She was born before the song came out, so she definitely was not named after it.

Not a bad name, but kind of old fashioned. Who ever picks up a baby and says "she looks like a Barbara"?

As an Italian name, Barbara is derived from the Latin "Barbarus," known to commonly mean, "Who Doesn't Know How To Speak; Stutterer," which is referring to foreigners who spoke neither Greek nor Latin.

The nameday, feastday, and memory of this name is to St. Barbara, who was beheaded in the 4th century.

Extremely distasteful. It sounds like "barbaric" when pronounced how it's spelled "bar-bear-ah." It's very old-fashioned and not fit for a little girl. Sounds like a 1950's mom with very big hair.

Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl, nowaday Oracle, is a famous bearer of this name.

Name of the Day: March 19, 2011.

Barbara of Austria (1539-1572), eighth daughter of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor. She later married Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.

I think it is a dignified and attractive name, although I am not crazy about the nickname Barb. If I were a Barbara, I believe I would ask for people to call me either Barbara or Bee (I do like Bee).

The diminutive BÄRBEL (Baerbel) in German is missing; and of course in German the name is used in exactly the same way/pronunciation as in English.
[noted -ed]

Barbara (1711-1758) was the daughter of King Joao V of Portugal and his wife Maria Anna.

I don't think anyone has mentioned Barbara Eden (the star/title character of "I Dream of Jeannie") or Barbara Feldon (Agent 99 on "Get Smart") yet.

Barbara Palvin (b. 1993) is a Hungarian fashion model.

I love this name; it's lovely but not frilly and sensible without being severe. I just wish it had a better choice of nicknames!

Actress Barbara La Marr (1896-1926).

Name of the Day: March 19, 2013.

Ba-ba-ba, Ba-Barbara Ann... Got me rockin' and a-rollin', rockin' and a reelin' Barbara Ann!

Now that that's out of my system... I'd say this name's about due for a comeback.

I really love the namr Barbara, I think its beautiful and timeless. My mom's name is Barbara Mary and she goes by Barbara Mary or Barbara. Some people also call her Barb. I don't think this name sounds too old fashioned, especially since names like Edith and Agnes are making a come back. I also think the name Barbie is cute as a nickname for Barbara especially for a little girl. My mom was calles Barbie by some relatives when she was younger.