Barbara: name meaning, origin and pronunciation

“a stranger; foreign woman”

Classical source identified (draft)Awaiting scholar review

باربرا

Βαρβάρα

Barbara (باربرا, Greek Βαρβάρα) is a Christian girl’s name that means “a stranger; foreign woman”. Source: Yonge, History of Christian Names, Barbara.

Barbara at a glance

Meaning: a stranger; foreign woman
Gender: Girl
Origin: Greek
Faith: Christian
Say it: bar-buh-ruh
Syllables: 3
Letters: 7
First letter: B · ب

Meaning of Barbara

In English: a stranger; foreign woman
اردو میں معنی: اجنبی؛ پردیسی

Origin and history of Barbara

From Greek barbaros, meaning 'a stranger'.

Base wordGreek barbaros

How to say and write Barbara

Say it: bar-buh-ruh3 syllables · Audio recordings coming later
English: Barbara
Urdu: باربرا
Original script: Βαρβάρα
Other spellings: Barbra
Known bearer: St Barbara, martyr

Sibling names for Barbara

Christian boy names that share a theme, origin or first letter with Barbara.

Names like Barbara

Names that sound like Barbara

Questions about the name Barbara

What does the name Barbara mean?

Barbara means “a stranger; foreign woman”. In Urdu: اجنبی؛ پردیسی. Source: Yonge, History of Christian Names (1884).

Is Barbara a boy’s or a girl’s name?

Barbara is a girl’s name.

Is Barbara a Christian name?

Yes. Barbara is used by Christian families. It is of Greek origin. From Greek barbaros, meaning 'a stranger'.

How do you pronounce Barbara?

Say it “bar-buh-ruh”: 3 syllables.

How do you write Barbara in Urdu?

In Urdu script, Barbara is written باربرا. In its original script: Βαρβάρα.

What are other spellings of Barbara?

Barbara is also spelled Barbra.

Who is a famous person named Barbara?

St Barbara, martyr

Is the meaning of Barbara verified?

Classical source identified (draft). Our editors matched the name to an entry in the classical dictionary cited below. No named reviewer has checked it against the printed page yet. Every entry on Naam is still a draft awaiting review by a named scholar.