How Many People Are Named Barbara?
Complete statistics for the name Barbara: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Barbara means 'foreigner' and has roots in Greek, making it a classic choice. It's estimated that 1 in 395 Americans today are named Barbara, totaling around 836,453 people. The majority of those named Barbara are over 60, reflecting its status as an old-school name.
📖 Meaning & Origin
People with the name Barbara typically have a life path number of 7, which is often associated with introspection, wisdom, and spiritual growth.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 79All 1,440,410 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1947Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Declining
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Barbara Through the Generations
Barbara peaked in popularity in 1947 with 48,889 births, marking a high point in its history. Over time, the name has seen a decline, but it remains a significant part of American culture. With 1,317,375 people over 60 bearing the name, it's clear that Barbara is predominantly associated with older generations, though there are still 11,310 younger individuals who carry on the tradition.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Barbara
Barbara and Barbra are given names. They are the feminine form of the Greek word barbaros meaning "stranger" or "foreign". In Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition, Saint Barbara was imprisoned in a tower by her father. She was then martyred by her father when she refused to renounce Christianity. According to legend, her father was then punished with death by lightning. As such, Saint Barbara is a protectress against fire and lightning. Early Christians occasionally referred to themselves as "barbarians" in opposition to the pagan Romans and Greeks. The story of Saint Barbara is said …
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Barbara's Greek roots
📄 About the Name Barbara
How Many People Have the Name Barbara?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 2,161 people in the United States currently share the name Barbara. That works out to roughly 1 in every 153,378 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Barbara a Common or Rare Name?
Barbara is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Barbara Mean?
Barbara means "foreigner" and comes from Greek origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 7.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Barbara in SSA data, approximately 0% are male and 100% are female.
When Was Barbara Most Popular?
The name Barbara reached peak popularity in 1947, with 48,889 babies registered that year. Current trend: Declining.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Barbara?
Approximately 2,161 people named Barbara live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 2,161. That works out to roughly 1 in 153,378 Americans.
Is Barbara a rare name?
Barbara is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 153,378 Americans has this name.
What does the name Barbara mean?
Barbara means "foreigner" and comes from Greek origins.
Is Barbara more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 0% of people named Barbara are male and 100% are female.
When was Barbara most popular?
Barbara peaked in 1947 with 48,889 births that year. Current trend: Declining.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.