View Message

Barbara (especially Barbara Ann) seems quite dated to me. I've never loved the 'bar bar' sound, anyway. The thing is, Barbie sounds too girlish while the full name doesn't appeal to me. I also strongly associate Barbara Ann with the Beach Boys' tune.

I plan to name my first-born daughter Barbara after my grandmother and in Croatia it's not seen as dated at all.
I know that it's seen as old fashioned in the US/UK,and I don't like it in the English pronunciation.

---

Barbara Ann really isn't my fave combo, I'd go with a more 'modern' middle name.

---

Barbara Josephine
Barbara Madeline
Barbara Viola

I rather like Barbara, though where I'm from it's not dated, more of a "young" name actually. But I'd avoid Ann as a mn, because of the song.

I like Barbara and my favorite nickname is Babs. I think that it being uncommon for little girls right now makes it even better.
I don't quite understand the concept of being "dated." Most of the names that people label "dated" are perfectly good and are rejected solely for having been popular several decades ago. As if that should matter.

I would hate seeing it on a baby girl today, tomorrow, yesterday, one hundred years ago, or two hundred years from now. It's a name that I dislike intensely. It's very harsh sounding and just not attractive. The two syllables, both starting with the same letter. The last syllable which is the word bra. The way it looks written. Bar. And then Bar again. And then A. Ick.

---

It was quite popular in my age group, and I went to school with several Barbaras. I could never figure out why, though.

I actually think it's quite refreshing! I had a girlfriend name one daughter Carol & the other Barbara- bold choices! I'm not a fan of Barbara Ann, though- I'd jazz up the middle name a bit, and I don't like the two "a"'s near each other. Maybe Barbara Raquel? or Barbara Lorraine? I'd avoid the nickname Barbie, though, if you can.

I'm not a fan. It has a rubbery sort of feel to it, and has a strong association for me with the noise you get when you rub a balloon (no idea why!). It also reminds me of Babar the elephant.
I...don't hate it, but I'd be surprised to see it on a baby girl. Not unpleasantly surprised. I'd get used to it. It's far better than monstrosities like Mykynzleigh though.
I wouldn't go with Barbara Ann, unless you want the poor girl to have people singing the Beach Boys song at her her whole life.

Very, very, very dated. I can't see this one coming back for a long time.

Ba-Ba-Ba Ba-Barbara Ann...

---

All I can think of is the Beach Boys song. Nice song though. It really is very dated though.

Dated.

---

It does sound too dated. I don't think it's ready to come back. Barbara just doesn't sound nice to me, nor does Barb.

---

I think Ann is filler.

While this is not my favorite name it is the name og my Grandmother and 1st oldest sister. Good friends of my parents named their daughter Barbara Michelle after both of my sisters. I have a good image of the name,but I still hate it.

I really do think that Barbara, is ugly! Especially paired with, Ann. I also think of, The Beach Boys.

I'll pass.

---

Barbara is awfully ugly. It's old-fashioned, stiff, and I suppose it can be said that it has no ounce of fluffiness. But what would you call the child? Barbie? Barb? She's either an empty doll or a fence. Basia is a lovely diminutive that seems to be a very interesting saving throw for an otherwise ugly name.

I plan on using it as a middle name, if I have another daughter, to honor my grandmother but I would never use it as a first name. I think it's way too dated, doesn't sound particularly nice and doesn't really have a great meaning. Barbara Anne also reminds me of the Beach Boys song and seems like it must be the name of many 60+ year old women.

I know a Barbara who's about 19 (her combo is Barbara Rose), and I've always thought it fit her very oddly - she doesn't seem like a person who's not a Barbara, necessarily, just one who's...not one yet, maybe? She just seems too young for it. I think Barbara in full is a million times better than (and also dates better than) Barb or Barbie, both of which I find horrifying.

---

I dunno, I feel like Barbara is too "old" for a college student, so I definitely can't see it fitting a baby, personally. Barbara Ann has a pretty retro feel to it, and I think it'd be waaaaay nicer than Madison or Brooklyn or whatever, but I can't really dig it. It's one of those names where if I saw it in a BA, I'd think, "I admire what you did there...but as a matter of personal taste, that is so not the route I would have taken away from the trendy, popular, oh-so-tiresome stuff."