name
Common
Barbara
BAHB-ruh
Barbara (name) means a female given name, originally from the Latin word barbarus ("foreign"). Example: “Barbara has been a popular name in English-speaking countries for generations.”
name
1
A female given name, originally from the Latin word barbarus ("foreign").
"Among Soloway’s congregants injured in the attack was Barbara Steinmetz, an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor who has become one of the most poignant symbols of the attack."
— Grace Gilson, Boulder’s ‘shocked and traumatized’ Jewish community takes stock of losses and strengths (2025)
"Barbara has been a popular name in English-speaking countries for generations."
How to use Barbara
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common English female first name, ultimately from the same Greek root as "barbarian."
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Word forms
- Plural
- Barbaras
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_____ has been a popular name in English-speaking countries for generations.
Etymology
From Latin Barbara, feminine of barbarus, from Greek barbaros ("foreign, strange") — the same root behind the modern word "barbarian."
Related words
Rhymes for Barbara
See all rhymes for Barbara →Frequently asked questions
What does “Barbara” mean?
The word “Barbara” means a female given name, originally from the Latin word barbarus ("foreign"). In plain terms, a common English female first name, ultimately from the same Greek root as "barbarian.".
How do you pronounce “Barbara”?
“Barbara” is pronounced BAHB-ruh (/ˈbɑɹb(ə)ɹə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Barbara” in a sentence?
Here is “Barbara” used in a sentence: “Barbara has been a popular name in English-speaking countries for generations.”
What part of speech is “Barbara”?
“Barbara” is a name.
Where does the word “Barbara” come from?
The word “Barbara” comes from Latin. From Latin Barbara, feminine of barbarus, from Greek barbaros ("foreign, strange") — the same root behind the modern word "barbarian.".
Is “Barbara” a common word?
“Barbara” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the origin of the name Barbara?
Barbara is a female given name that comes from the Latin word barbarus, meaning "foreign." The Latin root originally referred to people regarded as foreigners or outsiders.
Is Barbara a first name or a surname?
Barbara is used as a female given name, that is, a first name rather than a family name. It is a standalone name in English and other European languages.
How is the name Barbara used in writing?
As a proper noun, Barbara is always capitalised whenever it refers to a person. It does not normally take an article, so you write "Barbara arrived" rather than "a Barbara arrived" in ordinary use.
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