Barbra
Barbra is a girl's name of Greek origin.
Meaning
Foreign, strange, or traveler.
Origin and history
Barbra is a variant spelling of Barbara, derived from the Greek word 'barbaros' meaning foreign or stranger. The spelling was popularized in the mid-20th century, largely influenced by entertainer Barbra Streisand. Although common in mid-century America, its usage for newborns has dropped significantly in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
7,758 babies in the United States have been named Barbra since 1880. It ranks #1899 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (12.8 %)
- CA (11.2 %)
- TX (9.6 %)
- IL (8.5 %)
- OH (8.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 111 |
| 1920-1930 | 311 |
| 1930-1940 | 720 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,142 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,665 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,890 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,116 |
| 1980-1990 | 514 |
| 1990-2000 | 187 |
| 2000-2010 | 72 |
| 2010-2019 | 15 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Barbra
- Barbra Streisand: Singer, Actress
Nicknames
Babs, Barbie
Fun facts
- Barbra Streisand intentionally dropped an 'a' from her original name, Barbara, at age 18 to make it distinctive without changing its pronunciation.
- The name ultimately shares roots with the ancient Greek term used for non-Greek speakers, mimicking foreign speech.