Babs

♀ Girl

Pronounced BABZ /ˈbæbz/Medium

Meaning: Babs is an affectionate pet form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros meaning foreign or strange, once used of those who did not speak Greek. Given as a name in its own right, it keeps Barbara's meaning in a breezy shape.Medium

In 30 seconds: Babs is a pet form of Barbara, from the Greek for foreign or stranger. It saw brief use as a given name around nineteen-sixty-one (said BABZ).

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Origin MediumGreek

MeaningBabs is an affectionate pet form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros meaning foreign or strange, once used of those who did not speak Greek. Given as a name in its own right, it keeps Barbara's meaning in a breezy shape.

U.S. rank (1963)#5930 ↘ Falling

1963 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1961

Total births (all-time)≈ 285

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Babs is a nickname for Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, foreign or strange, occasionally recorded as a full given name. It carries the friendly, mid-century warmth of a pet name promoted to a birth name.

It was never common as a formal name, given to only about twenty girls a year even at its high around nineteen-sixty-one, though it long thrived as a nickname. A girl formally named Babs then would be in her mid-sixties today.

Did you know? Babs, through Barbara, comes from the Greek barbaros, once used for anyone whose speech sounded like babble to Greek ears.

Overall data confidence 55%

References - Babs — Pet form of Barbara; Greek barbaros, foreign

Variations

BarbaraBarbraBabette

Nicknames

BabBarbBabsie

Famous Bearers

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If you like Babs…

Barbara— the parent name it shortens

Barbra— a like variant of Barbara

Bobbie— a similar breezy vintage pet name

Dot— a like short nickname-as-name of the era

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Babs mean?

It is a pet form of Barbara, from the Greek meaning foreign or stranger.

How do you pronounce Babs?

It is said BABZ /ˈbæbz/, a single syllable.

Is Babs a boy or girl name?

Babs has been used as a girl's name.

How popular is Babs?

It has always been rare as a formal name, given to only about twenty girls a year at its high around nineteen-sixty-one, though it thrived as a nickname.