Find out how popular the first name Barbra has been for the last 41 years (from 1974 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Barbra by gender

Based on the last 41 years of data, Barbra is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Barbra.

The history of the first name Barbra

The name Barbra is derived from the ancient Greek name Barbara, which means "foreign" or "strange". It is believed to have originated as an epithet or descriptive nickname given to people who were perceived as outsiders or foreigners.

The earliest recorded use of the name Barbara dates back to the 3rd century AD, when it was mentioned in the Greek martyrologies of the early Christian church. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Saint Barbara, a 3rd-century martyr who was allegedly condemned to death by her pagan father for converting to Christianity.

In the Middle Ages, the name Barbara gained popularity across Europe, particularly in areas influenced by the Byzantine Empire and Eastern Christianity. It was also adopted by various Germanic tribes, who may have been drawn to its exotic-sounding quality.

One of the earliest notable figures to bear the name was Barbara of Nicomedia, a 4th-century saint and martyr venerated in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches. Another notable Barbra from the medieval period was Barbara von Cilli, a 15th-century German princess and queen consort of Hungary and Bohemia.

During the Renaissance, the name Barbra continued to be used throughout Europe, particularly in Italy and France. A famous bearer from this period was Barbara Strozzi, a 17th-century Italian singer and composer who was one of the most prolific female composers of the Baroque era.

In the 19th century, the name experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in the English-speaking world. This was likely influenced by the publication of Robert Browning's poem "A Blot in the 'Scutcheon" in 1843, which featured a character named Barbra.

One of the most famous Barbras of the 20th century was Barbra Streisand, the American singer, actress, and filmmaker born in 1942. Other notable bearers of the name include Barbra Boxer, an American politician born in 1940, and Barbra Ehrenreich, an American author and political activist born in 1941.

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 Barbra was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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