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Barbar

♀ Girl

Pronounced BAR-bar /ˈbɑːr.bɑːr/Low

Meaning: Barbar appears to be a clipped or variant form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, 'foreign' or 'strange,' a word that imitated the unfamiliar speech of outsiders. The shortened form likely reflects a record or usage variant.Low

In 30 seconds: Barbar is a clipped or variant form of Barbara, from the Greek for 'foreign' or 'stranger.' It was always rare and peaked in the late nineteen-fifties (said BAR-bar).

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Origin LowGreek

MeaningBarbar appears to be a clipped or variant form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros, 'foreign' or 'strange,' a word that imitated the unfamiliar speech of outsiders. The shortened form likely reflects a record or usage variant.

U.S. rank (1981)#10568 ↘ Falling

1981 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1959

Total births (all-time)≈ 316

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

Barbar is best read as a shortened or variant form of Barbara, whose Greek root barbaros means 'foreign' or 'strange.' The form is uncommon and may partly reflect record-keeping, but it points back clearly to the widely loved Barbara and its classical meaning.

The spelling stayed rare, appearing with a modest high around 1959 during Barbara's mid-century heyday before fading. A Barbar from that time is in her sixties today.

Did you know? The Greek barbaros, from which Barbara comes, echoed the 'bar-bar' sound that outsiders' speech was said to make, so the trimmed Barbar sits oddly close to the name's own ancient origin.

Overall data confidence 25%

References - Barbar — Clipped/variant of Barbara (Greek barbaros, 'foreign'); likely record variant

Variations

BarbaraBarbraBarbie

Nicknames

BarbBabsBar

Famous Bearers

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If you like Barbar…

Barbara— the standard name Barbar shortens

Barbra— a like contracted spelling of Barbara

Barbie— a common pet form of Barbara

Barb— another short form of the same name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Barbar mean?

It is a clipped or variant form of Barbara, from the Greek barbaros meaning 'foreign' or 'stranger.'

How do you pronounce Barbar?

It is said BAR-bar /ˈbɑːr.bɑːr/, two syllables with the stress at the start.

Is Barbar a boy or girl name?

Barbar is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Barbar?

It has always been rare in the United States, peaking in the late nineteen-fifties.