Barbi

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Barbi

Pronounced BAR-bee /ˈbɑr.bi/High

Meaning: Barbi is a pet form of Barbara, from Greek barbaros, 'foreign' or 'stranger' (originally said of non-Greek speakers). The -i ending marks it as a mid-century nickname given as a full name.Medium

In 30 seconds: Barbi is a short form of Barbara, from Greek barbaros, 'foreign, stranger' (said 'BAR-bee').

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumGreek

MeaningBarbi is a pet form of Barbara, from Greek barbaros, 'foreign' or 'stranger' (originally said of non-Greek speakers). The -i ending marks it as a mid-century nickname given as a full name.

U.S. rank (1987)#11481 ↘ Falling

1987 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1975

Total births (all-time)≈ 586

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

Barbi is a short form of Barbara, from Greek barbaros, 'foreign' or 'stranger', once used of anyone who did not speak Greek. The -i spelling belongs to the mid-century fashion for writing pet names with a final i.

It was never common, cresting around 1975 as Barbara itself was easing out of favor. It reads as a period nickname-name tied to Barbara, and it has not been revived.

Did you know? Barbi is one of the -i-spelled nicknames — with Barbie and Bobbi — that mid-century parents gave as legal first names, all pointing back to Barbara.

Overall data confidence 65%

References — Barbi — short form of Barbara; Greek barbaros

Variations

BarbieBarbraBarbara

Nicknames

BarbBabs

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Barbi…

Barbara— the full name Barbi shortens

Barbie— the -ie spelling of the same nickname

Bobbi— a like -i nickname-name of the same era

Debbi— another -i nickname given as a full name

Explore names like Barbi

By themerare vintage short-form

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Barbi mean?

Barbi is a short form of Barbara, from Greek barbaros, 'foreign' or 'stranger'.

How do you pronounce Barbi?

It's said BAR-bee /ˈbɑr.bi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Barbi a boy or girl name?

Barbi is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Barbi?

Barbi has always been rare, a mid-century short form of the once-popular Barbara.