Find out how popular the first name Barbar has been for the last 1 years (from 1981 to 1981) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Barbar by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Barbar is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1981, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Barbar.

The history of the first name Barbar

The given name Barbar has its origins tracing back to ancient Mesopotamia, specifically the Akkadian language of the Sumerian civilization, which flourished in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers around 3500-2350 BCE. The name is derived from the Akkadian word "barbaru," meaning "wolf" or "wolf-like."

In ancient Sumerian mythology, the wolf was often associated with strength, courage, and fierceness, qualities that were highly revered in that warrior culture. As such, parents may have chosen to name their children Barbar as a symbolic gesture, hoping to imbue them with these desirable traits.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barbar can be found in the Sumerian King List, an ancient manuscript that chronicles the rulers of various Sumerian city-states. The text mentions a King Barbar of Kish, who is said to have reigned for an impressive 900 years, although this figure is likely symbolic or exaggerated.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Barbar. In the 7th century BCE, Barbar was a prominent Assyrian prince and military commander who served under King Ashurbanipal. His exploits are recorded in the Assyrian royal annals, which detail his victories in battles against various enemies of the Assyrian Empire.

In the medieval period, Barbar al-Baghdadi (1080-1165) was a renowned Islamic scholar and philosopher from Baghdad. He made significant contributions to the fields of logic, metaphysics, and ethics, and his works were widely studied and influential throughout the Islamic world.

During the Renaissance, Barbar Brassicanus (1472-1539) was a German humanist scholar and educator. He was a prolific writer and translator, known for his Latin translations of ancient Greek texts and his contributions to the study of classical literature.

In more recent times, Barbar Khan (1916-1988) was a celebrated Pakistani classical singer and musician. He was widely regarded as a master of the khayal style of Hindustani classical music and was awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance award by the Pakistani government in recognition of his artistic achievements.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Barbar, a name that has its roots in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia and carries connotations of strength, courage, and fierceness.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Barbar was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Barbar, please contact us.

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