Barbara is a name of Latin origin that has been popular throughout history and across various cultures. Its meaning is derived from the Latin word "barbara," which refers to someone who is foreign or strange, likely due to their speech being unintelligible to those who do not speak their language.
The earliest recorded use of Barbara as a given name can be traced back to the early Christian martyrs. Saint Barbara was a 3rd-century Greek woman who refused to marry and instead devoted herself to God. She became a symbol of courage and faith, and her story spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages. In many cultures, Barbara is celebrated as a patron saint of miners, travelers, soldiers, and artisans.
Over time, Barbara has evolved into a name associated with several positive qualities. It has been used by notable figures in literature, art, and music, such as American writer Barbara Kingsolver, French painter Barbara Hepworth, and British musician Barbara Windsor. Today, Barbara remains a popular choice among parents looking for a classic yet distinctive name for their daughters.
In terms of its usage around the world, Barbara is often found in countries with a strong Christian or European influence. It has been particularly popular in English-speaking nations like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States. However, it can also be found in other languages and cultures that have adopted or adapted the name over time.
Overall, Barbara is an enduring and timeless name with deep historical roots and a rich cultural heritage. Its meaning as "foreign" or "strange" has evolved to encompass qualities of courage, faith, and uniqueness, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a memorable and meaningful name for their child.
The given statistics show the number of births with the name Barbara in the United States each year from 1913 to 1993. The data illustrates a clear trend: the name's popularity peaked during the early to mid-20th century and then declined significantly towards the end of the century.
In the early years, from 1913 to 1924, the number of babies named Barbara ranged from just 7 to 12 per year. However, starting in 1925, there was a significant increase, with the number of Barbaras born jumping from 26 to 35 to 41 between 1925 and 1927. This upward trend continued throughout the late 1920s and early 1930s, reaching a peak of 164 births in 1942.
However, after this peak, the popularity of the name Barbara began to decline. By the mid-1950s, the number of annual Barbara births had decreased to around 50 to 80 per year. This downward trend continued throughout the rest of the century, with fewer than 27 Barbaras born each year from 1964 onwards.
By the early 1990s, the popularity of the name Barbara had declined dramatically: only 7 babies were named Barbara in 1992 and just 5 in 1993. In total, over the 81-year period covered by these statistics (1913-1993), there were a total of 4,135 births in the United States with the name Barbara.
This data provides an interesting insight into how the popularity of names can change over time and illustrates how cultural trends shape the choices that parents make when naming their children.