Barb
Barb is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Foreign or stranger.
Origin and history
Barb is a short form of Barbara, derived from the Greek word 'barbaros' meaning 'foreign' or 'strange'. Historically popular as a standalone name in mid-20th century America, it is now rarely given as a legal birth name, though it remains a common casual nickname.
Popularity in the United States
3,853 babies in the United States have been named Barb since 1880. It ranks #2846 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- OH (15 %)
- MI (14.6 %)
- MN (14.3 %)
- IL (11.3 %)
- WI (10.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 6 |
| 1940-1950 | 201 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,460 |
| 1960-1970 | 2,140 |
| 1970-1980 | 46 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Barb
- Barb Jungr: Singer, Songwriter
Fun facts
- Barb originated as a nickname for Barbara before gaining independent usage on U.S. birth certificates.
- The name experienced its highest popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s.