Naming a child is one of the most important decisions parents make. It’s a choice that will last a lifetime and will be a part of their child’s identity forever. Some parents may be inspired by a particular name, but they may want to explore options that are similar and have similar meanings. If you like the name Barbara, but you want to see other names that sound or mean the same, then read on!
Boy Names Like Barbara
While Barbara is a traditionally feminine name, there are boy names that sound similar or have the same meaning. One option is Barabbas, which has Aramaic origin and means “son of the father.” This is a name that is familiar in the Bible as the man who was released from prison instead of Jesus. Another option is Barnabas, which has Hebrew roots and means “son of encouragement.” This is also a name found in the Bible as the companion of the apostle Paul.
Another option for a boy name similar to Barbara is Barak, which has Hebrew origins and means “lightning” or “blessing.” This name is found in the Bible as the commander of the Israelite army under the prophetess Deborah. It is a strong and unique name that could be a great choice for parents looking for a name with a similar sound to Barbara.
Girl Names Like Barbara
When it comes to girl names that sound or mean the same as Barbara, there are many options to choose from. One popular name is Barbara’s French counterpart, Barbe. Another option is the name Varvara, which has Greek roots and is the Greek version of the name Barbara. In Spanish, the name is commonly spelled Barvara. For a different take on the name, consider the name Blair. This Scottish moniker has similar sounds to Barbara but stands on its own as a unique choice.
Additionally, there are other names that have similar meanings to Barbara. For example, the name Abigail means “my father’s joy” and has a similar feel to Barbara, which means “stranger” or “foreigner”. Another option is the name Althea, which means “healer” and has a similar strong and feminine sound to Barbara. Lastly, the name Bernadette means “brave as a bear” and has a similar vintage charm to Barbara.
Unisex Names Like Barbara
If you’re looking for a name that can be used for either gender, there are some neutral options that have a similar sound or meaning to Barbara. One option is the name Arbor, which means “tree” or “a place covered in trees.” This is a gender-neutral name that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Another option is the name Bar, which means “son of the commandment” and can be used for both boys and girls.
Another gender-neutral name that has a similar sound to Barbara is the name Bobby. This name is a diminutive of Robert or Roberta and has been used as a unisex name since the 20th century. Bobby means “bright fame” and can be a great option for parents who want a name that is both classic and gender-neutral.
Unique Names Like Barbara
If you’re looking for names that are unique and have a similar meaning or sound to Barbara, there are some options that may appeal to you. One possibility is the name Bendite, which is a Latin name that means “blessed.” Another option is the name Bronte, which is a Greek name that means “thunder.” This name was also the surname of the famous sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte.
Another unique name that has a similar sound to Barbara is the name Beatrix. This name has Latin origins and means “she who brings happiness.” Beatrix is also the name of a famous children’s book author, Beatrix Potter, who is known for her beloved characters such as Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck.
Long Names Like Barbara
If you like the length of the name Barbara and want to explore other options that are similarly long, there are some names that fit the bill. One possible name is Bernadette, which means “brave as a bear” and has French origins. Another option is Gabriella, which means “God is my strength” and has Hebrew roots.
Another name that is similar in length to Barbara is Isabella, which means “pledged to God” and has Italian and Spanish origins. Isadora is another option, which means “gift of Isis” and has Greek roots. These names offer unique and meaningful options for those who appreciate longer names.
Short Names Like Barbara
If you prefer shorter names, there are still options that have a similar meaning or sound to Barbara. One option is the name Bree, which is a shortened version of the name Brianna and means “strength.” Another possibility is the name Bea, which is a diminutive of the name Beatrice and means “bringer of joy.”
Another short name option that is similar to Barbara is the name Bobbie, which is a diminutive of the name Roberta and means “bright fame.” This name has been used for both boys and girls, but is more commonly used for girls.
If you are looking for a short name that has a similar sound to Barbara, you may want to consider the name Marla. This name has a similar ending sound and means “bitter” or “wished for child.” It is a diminutive of the name Marlene or Marlene.
Barbara in Other Languages
If you’re interested in how the name Barbara is translated and pronounced in other languages, here are a few examples. In Spanish, the name becomes Bárbara with an accent on the first “a.” In French, it becomes Barbe. In Italian, it becomes Barbara with an emphasis on the second “a.” In German, the name is pronounced Baerbel with an umlaut over the “a.”
In Portuguese, the name Barbara is spelled the same way as in English, but it is pronounced with a stress on the second syllable. In Russian, the name is spelled as Барбара (Barbara) and is pronounced with the emphasis on the first syllable. In Japanese, the name is written as バーバラ (Bābara) using katakana characters and is pronounced with equal emphasis on each syllable.
Interestingly, the name Barbara has different meanings in different languages. In Greek, it means “foreign” or “strange,” while in Latin, it means “barbarian” or “uncivilized.” In Hebrew, the name means “stranger” or “foreigner,” and in Arabic, it means “traveler” or “one who travels.”
Where did the Name Barbara Come From?
The name Barbara has its roots in the Greek language and means “strange” or “foreign.” Saint Barbara was a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century. According to legend, her father locked her in a tower to protect her from the influence of Christianity, but she converted to the religion while she was imprisoned. When her father found out, he had her tortured and eventually beheaded. In her honor, the name Barbara became associated with bravery and piety, and it remains a popular name to this day.
There you have it – a comprehensive list of names that are similar in sound or meaning to Barbara. Whether you prefer long or short names, feminine or gender-neutral names, there is a name out there that will be perfect for your little one. Happy name searching!
Interestingly, the name Barbara was also popularized in the 4th century by the Eastern Roman Emperor, Valentinian I, who named his daughter Barbara. This helped to spread the name throughout Europe and it became especially popular in the Middle Ages. Today, the name Barbara is still commonly used in many countries around the world, including the United States, Germany, and Poland.