Barnaby is an uncommon English given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the Latin word "barnaba," which means "son of encouragement" or "son of exhortation." The name Barnaba was originally used as a surname in ancient Rome, but it eventually became a given name.
The name Barnaby first gained popularity in the 17th century and was often associated with the Christian apostle Barnabas. In the New Testament, Barnabas was known for his encouraging and supportive nature, which may have contributed to the positive connotations of the name.
Despite its roots in Latin, Barnaby is considered an English name today. It has seen some fluctuations in popularity over the centuries but remains relatively uncommon. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, Barnaby ranked #1623rd most popular boy's name in 2019.
Some famous individuals with the name Barnaby include British actor Barnaby Kay, best known for his role in the television series "The Crown," and American musician Barnaby Whitfield, who was a member of the indie rock band The Walkmen.
"The name Barnaby saw a significant rise in popularity from the mid-1970s onwards, peaking at 19 births in 1974. However, it has since declined, with only 5 births recorded in each of the past two years."