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Home › Baby Names Directory › Barbra

Barbra

♀ Girl

Pronounced BAR-bruh /ˈbɑːr.brə/High

Meaning: A streamlined spelling of Barbara, from the Greek 'barbaros,' 'foreign; strange' (literally 'one who babbles a foreign tongue'). The Barbra form was carried to fame by singer and actress Barbra Streisand.Medium

In 30 seconds: A sleek take on a classic: Barbra means 'foreign woman' (Greek), said 'BAR-bruh' — the spelling made famous by Barbra Streisand.
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Origin MediumGreek
MeaningA streamlined spelling of Barbara, from the Greek 'barbaros,' 'foreign; strange' (literally 'one who babbles a foreign tongue'). The Barbra form was carried to fame by singer and actress Barbra Streisand.
U.S. rank (2014)#16956 ↘ Falling
2014 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1966
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,758

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196618822014

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

Barbra trims the middle vowel from Barbara, from the Greek for 'foreign woman.' The spelling belongs almost entirely to the 1960s, lifted by the young stardom of Barbra Streisand; it peaked in 1966 and faded soon after (said 'BAR-bruh').

Barbra is a boomer-era spelling tied to one famous bearer, and it has quietly receded since. Rare, mid-century, and star-linked.

Did you know? Barbra is the streamlined spelling of Barbara ('foreign woman') that Barbra Streisand made unmistakable — it peaked around 1966, right as her stardom crested, then faded.
Overall data confidence 72%
References — Barbra — Variant of Barbara; Greek 'foreign woman'; Streisand spelling

Variations

BarbaraBarberaBarbro

Nicknames

BarbBabs

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Barbra…

Barbara— the classic it restyles
Brenda— a like mid-century favorite
Sandra— a like boomer-era pick
Carla— a like two-beat classic

Explore names like Barbra

By themevintage1960sclassic-rootedcelebrity

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Barbra mean?

Barbra is a variant of Barbara, from the Greek for 'foreign woman'; the spelling was popularized by singer Barbra Streisand.

How do you pronounce Barbra?

It's said BAR-bruh /ˈbɑːr.brə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Barbra a boy or girl name?

Barbra is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Barbra?

Barbra crested in the mid-sixties and is uncommon now.

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