Barb

♀ Girl

Pronounced BARB /ˈbɑːrb/High

Meaning: A short form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, 'foreign, stranger.' It was used casually as a standalone name in the mid-twentieth century.Medium

In 30 seconds: Barb is a short form of Barbara, from Greek for 'foreign, stranger' (said 'BARB').

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Origin MediumGreek, English

MeaningA short form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, 'foreign, stranger.' It was used casually as a standalone name in the mid-twentieth century.

U.S. rank (1972)#5506 ↘ Falling

1972 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1960

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,853

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

Barb is a short form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, 'foreign, stranger.' As Barbara filled mid-century nurseries, the casual Barb was recorded as a name in its own right; it crested around 1960 and then slipped away, now a retro clipped form.

Given to several hundred girls a year at its height, Barb now reads as a vintage short form.

Did you know? Barb peaked around 1960 and faded within a couple of decades, the breezy short form of the hugely popular Barbara.

Overall data confidence 78%

References — Barb — Short form of Barbara; Greek barbaros

Variations

BarbaraBarbraBarbie

Nicknames

BarbieBabs

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Barb…

Barbara— the parent name Barb shortens

Barbra— a like variant form

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Beth— shares Barb's English roots

Bee— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Barb mean?

Barb is a short form of Barbara, from the Greek for 'foreign, stranger.'

How do you pronounce Barb?

It's said BARB /ˈbɑːrb/ — one syllable.

Is Barb a boy or girl name?

Barb is used as a girl's name.

Is Barb making a comeback?

Not notably — it's a mid-century favorite that has been uncommon on its own for decades, a vintage short form of Barbara.