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Home › Baby Names Directory › Varvara

Varvara

♀ Girl

Pronounced var-VAH-rah /vɑrˈvɑ.rɑ/Medium

Meaning: A Russian/Greek form of Barbara — from the Greek barbaros, 'a stranger; a foreign woman' (one whose speech sounds like 'bar-bar'); borne by Saint Barbara; we note the saintLow

In 30 seconds: A stranger; a foreign woman: Varvara forms Barbara. Lyrical, classic, and warm (said 'var-VAH-rah'). We note the saint.
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Origin LowRussian, Greek
MeaningA Russian/Greek form of Barbara — from the Greek barbaros, 'a stranger; a foreign woman' (one whose speech sounds like 'bar-bar'); borne by Saint Barbara; we note the saint
U.S. rank (2025)#10854 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 192

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619752025

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

Varvara is a Russian/Greek form of Barbara — from the Greek barbaros, 'a stranger; a foreign woman' (one whose speech sounds like 'bar-bar'); borne by Saint Barbara (we note the saint). A lyrical, classic name (said 'var-VAH-rah').

In the U.S. it appears in Russian, Greek, and Eastern European families. Rare, a-stranger at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Barbara is 'a stranger; a foreign woman' in Greek — Varvara is the Russian/Greek form, borne by Saint Barbara — lyrical and classic (we note the saint; said 'var-VAH-rah').
Overall data confidence 40%
References — Varvara — Russian form of Barbara

Variations

BarbaraVaryaVarvarra

Nicknames

Varya

Famous Bearers

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If you like Varvara…

Barbara— the source name
Vasilisa— a fellow Russian girls' name
Kassandra— another Greek name
Tamara— another Russian name
Pandora— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Varvara

By themegreekrussian

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Varvara mean?

Varvara is a Russian/Greek form of Barbara — Greek 'a stranger; a foreign woman'; borne by Saint Barbara. We note the saint.

How do you pronounce Varvara?

It's said var-VAH-rah /vɑrˈvɑ.rɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Varvara a boy or girl name?

Varvara is a girl's name.

How popular is Varvara?

Varvara is a very rare name in the U.S.

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