Barbara was among the most popular names for girls in English-speaking countries in the first half of the 20th century but has since decreased in usage in countries such as the United States.
According to legend, Saint Barbara was a young woman killed by her father Dioscorus, who was then killed by a bolt of lightning. She is the patron of architects, geologists, stonemasons and artillerymen. Because of her renown, the name came into general use in the Christian world in the Middle Ages.
Barbara is a girl's name of Greek origin meaning "foreign woman". Barbara is the 860 ranked female name by popularity.
Barbara Allen is a traditional folk song that is popular throughout the English-speaking world. There are several songs by several different artists of the same name. Characters named Barabara have also appeared in several works by Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray.
Barbara as a girls' name is pronounced BAR-bra. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Barbara is "foreign woman". The adjective was originally applied to anyone who did not speak Greek; it has the same root as "barbarian".
Barbara - Name Meaning, What does Barbara mean? - Think Baby Names
What is the meaning of the name Barbara? Discover the origin, popularity, Barbara name meaning, and names related to Barbara with Mama Natural’s fantastic baby names guide.
The reason for the name is unknown; some suggest it is from the woman's name Barbara, others that it is perhaps from Latin barbata, in Medieval Latin usnea barbata, literally "bearded moss."
Italian, Spanish and Portuguese (Bárbara), and English : from the female personal name Barbara, which was borne by a popular saint, who according to legend was imprisoned in a tower and later put to death by her own father for refusing to recant her Christian beliefs.