Barre is of French origin, derived from the Old French word 'baron', meaning 'noble'. It was initially a surname given to nobility or those who held land formerly belonging to a baron. Over time, Barre has evolved as a first name in its own right, often used as an alternative to more common names like Barry. The name is also associated with the French region of Languedoc-Roussillon, where it is particularly prevalent.
"The name Barre experienced a consistent popularity between 1940 and 1961, with a noticeable increase from 8 births in 1951 to 9 in 1955, before declining slightly again."